Hypericum crux-andreae
| Hypericum crux-andreae | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo taken by Michelle Smith | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons |
| Order: | Theales |
| Family: | Clusiaceae ⁄ Guttiferae |
| Genus: | Hypericum |
| Species: | H. crux-andreae |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypericum crux-andreae (L.) Crantz | |
| |
| Natural range of Hypericum crux-andreae from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common name: St. Peterswort
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Synonyms: Hypericum stans (Michaux ex Willdenow) W.P. Adams & Robson; Ascyrum stans Michaux ex Willdenow; Ascyrum cuneifolium Chapman
Description
Hypericum crux-andreae is a perennial shrub.
“Usually glabrous herbs or shrubs. Leaves usually punctate, simple, opposite, entire, usually sessile or subsessile, exstipulate. Inflorescence basically cymose; flowers perfect, regular, bracteates, subsessile or short-pedicellate, sepals 2, 4, or 5, persistent; petals 4 or 5, usually marcescent, yellow or pink; stamens 5-numerous, separate or connate basally forming 3-5 clusters or fascicles, filaments usually persistent; carpels 2-5, stigmas and styles separate or fused, ovary superior, 1-locular or partly or wholly 2-5 locular, placentation axile or parietal. Capsules basically ovoid, longitudinally dehiscent, styles usually persistent; seeds numerous, lustrous, areolate, cylindric or oblong. In general our species form a polymorphic complex with many intergrading taxa.” – Radford et al 1964
"Erect shrub, 4-10 dm tall with shreddy old bark. Leaves coriaceous, elliptic, ovate, or obovate, 1-4 cm long, 5-20 mm wide, obtuse, slightly revolute, base widely cuneate, rounded, or slightly clasping, notched. Flowers solitary, axillary, or in cymules; bracts paired, near center of pedicel to near base of calyx; pedicels 4-10 mm long. Outer sepals cordate or ovate, 6-7 nerved, 10-18 mm long, 8-15 mm wide, acute or obtuse, inner sepals lanceolate, 6-15 mm long, 203 mm wide, acute to acuminate; petals 4, 10-18 mm long; styles usually 3(2-4), separate, 1-2.5 mm long, ovary 1-locular. Capsules ovoid, 7-10 mm long, 4-5 mm broad; seeds brown, 0.7-0.8 mm long." - Radford et al 1964
Distribution
Ecology
Habitat
It is found in longleaf pine-wiregrass flatwoods[1] and titi-cypress swamp communities in Florida.[2] It can also occur in some disturbed habitat like fallow fields (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include Andropogon, Pinus palutris, Aristida stricta, Cyrilla racemiflora, Salix humilis, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Saccharum sp., Dichanthelium scoparium, Smilax rotundifolia, Proserpinaca pectinata, and Hypericum brachyphyllum (FSU Herbarium).
Phenology
Flowering has been observed in August through October, and fruiting has been observed in October (FSU Herbarium).
Seed dispersal
Seed bank and germination
Several short-lived perennial forbs also have a seed bank persistent for at least several years.[3]
Fire ecology
This species has been found in habitat that burns frequently (FSU Herbarium).
Pollination
Use by animals
Diseases and parasites
Conservation and Management
Cultivation and restoration
Photo Gallery
References and notes
Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, Wilson Baker, Andre F. Clewell, M. Davis, R. F. Doren, Robert K. Godfrey, Ann F. Johnson, J. M. Kane, R. A. Norris, and Cecil R. Slaughter. States and Counties: Florida: Duval, Franklin, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. Georgia: Baker, Grady, and Thomas. Texas: Hardin.
Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. 1964, 1968. The University of North Carolina Press. 709-711. Print.
- ↑ Brockway, D. G. and C. E. Lewis (1997). "Long-term effects of dormant-season prescribed fire on plant community diversity, structure and productivity in a longleaf pine wiregrass ecosystem." Forest Ecology and Management 96: 167-183.
- ↑ Drewa, P., W. Platt, et al. (2002). "Community Structure along Elevation Gradients in Headwater Regions of Longleaf Pine Savannas." Plant Ecology 160(1): 61-78.
- ↑ Platt, W. J., S. M. Carr, et al. (2006). "Pine savanna overstorey influences on ground-cover biodiversity." Applied Vegetation Science 9: 37-50.
