Difference between revisions of "Dicerandra frutescens"

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It has spurred anthers that require triggereing by insects to release and disperse the pollen <ref name="FWS"/>. It is mainly pollinated by bee-flies (''Exoprosopa fasciata'')(Evans et al. 2003). Pollinators have been observed to visit flowers in the sun more than three times higher than flowers occurring in the shade (Deyrup and Menges 1997). Reproduction has been shown to have a positive correlation with population size and density (Evans et al. 2003).
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It has spurred anthers that require triggering by insects to release and disperse the pollen <ref name="FWS"/>. It is mainly pollinated by bee-flies (''Exoprosopa fasciata'') (Evans et al. 2003). Pollinators have been observed to visit flowers in the sun more than three times higher than flowers occurring in the shade (Deyrup and Menges 1997). Reproduction has been shown to have a positive correlation with population size and density (Evans et al. 2003).
  
  

Revision as of 12:41, 10 December 2015

Dicerandra frutescens
Insert.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae ⁄ Labiatae
Genus: Dicerandra
Species: D. frutescens
Binomial name
Dicerandra frutescens
Shinners
Dice frut dist.jpg
Natural range of Dicerandra frutescens from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: scrub balm

Taxonomic notes

Description

D. frutescens is a short-lived perennial, suffruticose species with a shallow tap root (Huck 1987; Menges 1992). There are two types of shoots: vegetative and reproductive[1]. Species of Dicerandra contain essential oils and terpenoid mixtures that gives each species an unique odor (McCormick et al. 1993).

It can be distinguished from D. christmanii, another scrub mint found narrowly distributed along the Lake Wales Ridge, by having a minty aroma, longer leaves, and deep purple anthers (Huck et al. 1989).

Distribution

Distribution is limited to the excessively yellow drained sand of the southern portion of the Lake Wales Ridge (Menges 1992).

Ecology

Habitat

D. frutescens can be found to occupy a small range in the southern portion of the Lake Wales ridge in xerophytic scrub oak communities on excessively drained yellow sands (FSU Herbarium; Menges 1999). Specific sand types include Astatula and Paola and Orsino (Menges 1992). It often can be seen growing in gaps due to the high soil water availability, light levels, and low leaf litter accumulation (Weedley et al. 2007). Populations have been observed in disked areas such as fire lanes (Menges 2008). Associated species include Lyonia ferruginea, Persea humilis, Carya floridana and Quercus laevis (Menges 1992).

Phenology

The flowers of D. frutescens are perfect and reproduce with outcrossing and are self compatible (Evans et al. 2003). The upper lip of the flower is marked internally with a purple trellis pattern of lines and dots, the lower lip is maculate with larger spots from lobe bases to the base of the lip [1]. It has two pairs of stamen, with one pair being slightly longer and spurred anthers for insect pollination (Kral 1983). Flowers occur August through winter and fruit September through winter.

Seed dispersal

Seed bank and germination

Fire ecology

Pollination

It has spurred anthers that require triggering by insects to release and disperse the pollen [1]. It is mainly pollinated by bee-flies (Exoprosopa fasciata) (Evans et al. 2003). Pollinators have been observed to visit flowers in the sun more than three times higher than flowers occurring in the shade (Deyrup and Menges 1997). Reproduction has been shown to have a positive correlation with population size and density (Evans et al. 2003).


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

Apidae: Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, B. pennsylvanicus

Halictidae: Augochlorella aurata, Lasioglossum placidensis

Megachilidae: Megachile petulans

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: P. Alcorn, Steven P. Christman, Robert K. Godfrey, Walter S. Judd, J.D. Skean. States and Counties: Florida: Highlands. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 [FWS]Accessed: December 9, 2015