Difference between revisions of "Ceanothus microphyllus"

From Coastal Plain Plants Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Ecology)
(Taxonomic notes)
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 21: Line 21:
 
The specific epithet refers to the reduced leaves that are tiny rounded nubs.<ref name="hawthorn">[[http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2010/01/littleleaf-new-jersey-tea-ceanothus.html]]. Native Florida Wildflowers. Accessed: April 12, 2016</ref>
 
The specific epithet refers to the reduced leaves that are tiny rounded nubs.<ref name="hawthorn">[[http://hawthornhillwildflowers.blogspot.com/2010/01/littleleaf-new-jersey-tea-ceanothus.html]]. Native Florida Wildflowers. Accessed: April 12, 2016</ref>
  
Synonyms: none.<ref name="weakley">Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.</ref>
+
Synonyms: none<ref name=weakley>Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.</ref>  
  
Varieties: none.<ref name="weakley">Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. Working Draft of 21 May 2015. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.</ref>
+
Varieties: none<ref name=weakley/>
  
 
==Description==  
 
==Description==  
Line 31: Line 31:
  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
It is native to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.<ref name= "USDA">USDA, NRCS. (2016). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 4 April 2019).</ref> National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. It is listed as vulnerable in Alabama and Georgia.<ref name="natureserve">[[http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Ceanothus+microphyllus]]NatureServe. Accessed: April 12, 2016</ref> Weakley notes that ''C. microphyllus'' is found a few kilometers away from the South Carolina border, and may spread to that state.<ref name= "Weakley"/>
+
It is native to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.<ref name= "USDA">USDA, NRCS. (2016). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 4 April 2019).</ref> <ref>National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.</ref> It is listed as vulnerable in Alabama and Georgia.<ref name="natureserve">[[http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Ceanothus+microphyllus]]NatureServe. Accessed: April 12, 2016</ref> Weakley notes that ''C. microphyllus'' is found a few kilometers away from the South Carolina border, and may spread to that state.<ref name= "Weakley"/>
  
 
==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
 
===Habitat===<!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->  
 
===Habitat===<!--Natural communities, human disturbed habitats, topography, hydrology, soils, light, fire regime requirements for removal of competition, etc.-->  
This species has been found in open longleaf pine-wiregrass savannahs, sandhills, ridges, slopes, and wetlands. It has been observed to grow in well-drained dry loamy sands in the uplands as well as mesic environments. Associated species include ''Pinus palustris'' and ''Aristida stricta.''<ref name="fsu"/><ref name= "Weakley">Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.</ref>
+
This species has been found in open longleaf pine-wiregrass savannahs, sandhills, ridges, slopes, and wetlands. It has been observed to grow in well-drained dry loamy sands in the uplands as well as mesic environments.<ref name="fsu"/><ref name= "Weakley"/>  
  
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
+
Associated species include ''[[Pinus palustris]]'' and ''[[Aristida stricta]].''<ref name="fsu"/><ref name= "Weakley">Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
''C. microphyllus'' has been observed flowering from March to May and July with peak inflorescence in April.<ref>Nelson, G.  [http://www.gilnelson.com/ PanFlora]: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/  Accessed: 7 DEC 2016</ref>
 
''C. microphyllus'' has been observed flowering from March to May and July with peak inflorescence in April.<ref>Nelson, G.  [http://www.gilnelson.com/ PanFlora]: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/  Accessed: 7 DEC 2016</ref>
  
 
===Seed dispersal===
 
===Seed dispersal===
 
This species is thought to be dispersed by ants and/or explosive dehiscence. <ref>Kirkman, L. Katherine. Unpublished database of seed dispersal mode of plants found in Coastal Plain longleaf pine-grasslands of the Jones Ecological Research Center, Georgia.</ref>   
 
This species is thought to be dispersed by ants and/or explosive dehiscence. <ref>Kirkman, L. Katherine. Unpublished database of seed dispersal mode of plants found in Coastal Plain longleaf pine-grasslands of the Jones Ecological Research Center, Georgia.</ref>   
 +
 
<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
 
<!--===Seed bank and germination===-->
  
Line 47: Line 50:
 
This species occurs in mature longleaf pine communities that are frequently burned.<ref name="fsu"/>Resprouts after quick burning fire.<ref>Coile N. C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11</ref>
 
This species occurs in mature longleaf pine communities that are frequently burned.<ref name="fsu"/>Resprouts after quick burning fire.<ref>Coile N. C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11</ref>
  
===Pollination and use by animals===
+
===Pollination===
Pollinators are necessary for fruits to form. Many insects are attracted to the flowers.<ref>Coile N.C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11</ref> Trace amounts of ''C. microphyllus'' have been found to be eaten by white-tailed deer.<ref name= "Harlow">Harlow, R. F. (1961). "Fall and winter foods of Florida white-tailed deer." The Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 24(1): 19-38.</ref>
+
Pollinators are necessary for fruits to form. Many insects are attracted to the flowers.<ref>Coile N.C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Herbivory and toxicology===
 +
Trace amounts of ''C. microphyllus'' have been found to be eaten by white-tailed deer.<ref name= "Harlow">Harlow, R. F. (1961). "Fall and winter foods of Florida white-tailed deer." The Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 24(1): 19-38.</ref>
 +
 
 
<!--===Diseases and parasites===-->
 
<!--===Diseases and parasites===-->
  

Latest revision as of 14:35, 22 May 2023

Ceanothus microphyllus
Ceanothus microphyllus Gil.jpg
Photo by Gil Nelson
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Rhamnales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Ceanothus
Species: C. microphyllus
Binomial name
Ceanothus microphyllus
Michx.
CARP CORY dist.jpg
Natural range of Ceanothus microphyllus from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Littleleaf Buckbrush

Taxonomic notes

The specific epithet refers to the reduced leaves that are tiny rounded nubs.[1]

Synonyms: none[2]

Varieties: none[2]

Description

C. microphyllus is a perennial shrub that is in the Rhamnaceae family. It has small leaves that are less than 1/2 inch long, and usually reaches heights of 1 foot with 2-3 feet in spread.[3] This species has been observed to have several main branches near the base.[4]The flowers have obdiplostemony stamens, five clawed petals, and white. Fruits are explosively dehiscent. Mature fruits are dry, and three lobed.[5]

Distribution

It is native to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.[6] [7] It is listed as vulnerable in Alabama and Georgia.[8] Weakley notes that C. microphyllus is found a few kilometers away from the South Carolina border, and may spread to that state.[9]

Ecology

Habitat

This species has been found in open longleaf pine-wiregrass savannahs, sandhills, ridges, slopes, and wetlands. It has been observed to grow in well-drained dry loamy sands in the uplands as well as mesic environments.[4][9]

Associated species include Pinus palustris and Aristida stricta.[4][9]

Phenology

C. microphyllus has been observed flowering from March to May and July with peak inflorescence in April.[10]

Seed dispersal

This species is thought to be dispersed by ants and/or explosive dehiscence. [11]


Fire ecology

This species occurs in mature longleaf pine communities that are frequently burned.[4]Resprouts after quick burning fire.[12]

Pollination

Pollinators are necessary for fruits to form. Many insects are attracted to the flowers.[13]

Herbivory and toxicology

Trace amounts of C. microphyllus have been found to be eaten by white-tailed deer.[14]


Conservation, cultivation, and restoration

Cultural use

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. [[1]]. Native Florida Wildflowers. Accessed: April 12, 2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. Edition of 20 October 2020. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
  3. [[2]] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed: April 4, 2019
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, R. A. Norris, Andre F. Clewell, Robert K. Godfrey, Steve L. Orzell, R. Komarek and Helen Roth. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Liberty, and Wakulla. Georgia: Decatur, Grady, and Thomas.
  5. Coile N.C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11.
  6. USDA, NRCS. (2016). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 4 April 2019).
  7. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
  8. [[3]]NatureServe. Accessed: April 12, 2016
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  10. Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 7 DEC 2016
  11. Kirkman, L. Katherine. Unpublished database of seed dispersal mode of plants found in Coastal Plain longleaf pine-grasslands of the Jones Ecological Research Center, Georgia.
  12. Coile N. C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11
  13. Coile N.C. 1992. Little-leaf Redroot. Palmetto 12(1):10-11
  14. Harlow, R. F. (1961). "Fall and winter foods of Florida white-tailed deer." The Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 24(1): 19-38.