Polanisia tenuifolia
| Polanisia tenuifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo by Pete Dunkelberg, Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Cleomaceae |
| Genus: | Polanisia |
| Species: | P. tenuifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Polanisia tenuifolia Torr. & A. Gray | |
| |
| Natural range of Polanisia tenuifolia from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common name: Slenderleaf clammyweed
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Synonym: Aldenella tenuifolia (Torrey & A. Gray) Greene
Description
A description of Polanisia tenuifolia is provided in The Flora of North America.
Distribution
It is a regional endemic found in the Florida panhandle to southeast Mississippi[1].
Ecology
Habitat
Habitats of P. tenuifolia include longleaf pine/scrub oak ridges, sandhills, and dry pinelands [1](FSU Herbarium). Associated species include Balduina angustifolia, Licania michauxii, Conradina canescens, Opuntia humifusa, O. pusilla, Froelichia floridana, Cypersus retrosus, Stipulicida setacea, Polygonella gracilis, Diodia teres, Triplasis americana,and Heterotheca subaxillaris (UF Herbarium).
Seed dispersal
This species has vertically dangling pods called siliques, which open gradually dispenses seeds[2].
Seed bank and germination===
Pollination
The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Polanisia tenuifolia at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):
Halictidae: Augochloropsis metallica, Lasioglossum nymphalis
Megachilidae: Dolichostelis louisae, Megachile brevis pseudobrevis
Sphecidae: Cerceris blakei, Ectemnius rufipes ais, Tachysphex similis
Vespidae: Leptochilus krombeini, Microdynerus monolobus, Stenodynerus histrionalis rufustus
Use by animals
It produces glandular hairs which are believed to deter insect feeding and creeping[2].
Conservation and Management
Loss of habitat of dunes to vacation homes and resorts is threatening this species[1].
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: Angus Gholson Jr., Robert K. Godfrey. States and Counties: Florida: Liberty, Putnam. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
