Difference between revisions of "Hypericum cumulicola"

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(Distribution)
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==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.-->
In the Coastal Plain in Florida, ''H. cumulicola'' occurs in ''Pinus clausa'' scrubs with xerophytic oaks (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include ''Ceratolia, Selaginella, Pinus clausa, Prunus geniculata, Polygonella'', and ''Paronychia pulvinata'' (FSU Herbarium).
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''Hypericum cumulicola'' can only be found in openings of rosemary balds and oak scrubs. Rosemary balds are unique vegetative communities that occur as patches within the more expansive scrub ecosystem found in the Lake Wales Ridge<ref name="FWS"/>. The fire frequency of rosemary balds range from 10 to 100 years (Johnson 1992, Myers 1990) and extended periods of fire suppression results in a loss of openings preferred by this species<ref name="FWS"/>. Associated species include ''Ceratolia, Selaginella, Pinus clausa, Prunus geniculata, Polygonella'', and ''Paronychia pulvinata'' (FSU Herbarium).
  
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->
 
===Phenology=== <!--Timing off flowering, fruiting, seed dispersal, and environmental triggers.  Cite PanFlora website if appropriate: http://www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ -->

Revision as of 08:22, 5 January 2016

Hypericum cumulicola
Insert.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Theales
Family: Clusiaceae ⁄ Guttiferae
Genus: Hypericum
Species: H. cumulicola
Binomial name
Hypericum cumulicola
(Small) P. Adams
Hype cumu dist.jpg
Natural range of Hypericum cumulicola from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Highlands Scrub St. John's-wort

Taxonomic notes

Description

H. cumulicola is a short live perennial herb whose stems die back in winter to non-flowering basal branches [1]. The leaves are needle like and opposite, entire, simple, and gland-dotted. The seeds are pointed, opening into three curved, beaked segments, surrounded by 5 persistent sepals [2]. The yellow flowers are small, bisexual, and arranged in a cyme. It may contain hypericin, which is common of species in this genus [3]. The leaves and flowers are similar to Hypericum gentianoides, but can be differentiated by having a single, winged-angled main stem and lacking a cluster of basal branches [1].

Distribution

It is a federally endangered species due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and fire suppression[2]. It is endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge, with populations occurring only in Polk and Highland counties. However; within these counties, this species occurs in relatively large populations of hundreds or thousands of individuals [3].

Ecology

Habitat

Hypericum cumulicola can only be found in openings of rosemary balds and oak scrubs. Rosemary balds are unique vegetative communities that occur as patches within the more expansive scrub ecosystem found in the Lake Wales Ridge[3]. The fire frequency of rosemary balds range from 10 to 100 years (Johnson 1992, Myers 1990) and extended periods of fire suppression results in a loss of openings preferred by this species[3]. Associated species include Ceratolia, Selaginella, Pinus clausa, Prunus geniculata, Polygonella, and Paronychia pulvinata (FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

Flowers in September and fruits in September and November (FSU Herbarium).

Seed dispersal

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

Pollination

The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Hypericum cumulicola at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):

Apidae: Bombus impatiens

Halictidae: Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Lasioglossum miniatulus, L. nymphalis

Use by animals

Diseases and parasites

Conservation and Management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

Deyrup, M.A. and N.D. 2015. Database of observations of Hymenoptera visitations to flowers of plants on Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA.

Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: October 2015. Collectors: W.P. Adams , Beverly Judd, Walter S. Judd, O. Lakela, James D. Ray Jr., D.B. Ward. States and Counties: Florida: Highlands, Polk. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

  1. 1.0 1.1 [[1]] Florida Natural Areas Inventory Accessed: January 4, 2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 [[2]] Center for Plant Conservation Accessed: January 4, 2016
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 [[3]]Accessed: January 4, 2016