Ceanothus microphyllus

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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

Synonyms: none

Varieties: none

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

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.[2] This species has been observed to have several main branches near the base.[3]

Distribution

It is native to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.[4] National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. It is listed as vulnerable in Alabama and Georgia.[5] Weakley notes that C. microphyllus is found a few kilometers away from the South Carolina border, and may spread to that state.[6]

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. Associated species include Pinus palustris and Aristida stricta.[3][6]

Phenology

C. microphyllus has been observed flowering from March to May and July with peak inflorescence in April.[7]

Seed dispersal

This species is thought to be dispersed by ants and/or explosive dehiscence. [8]

Fire ecology

This species occurs in mature longleaf pine communities that are frequently burned.[3]

Use by animals

Trace amounts of C. microphyllus have been found to be eaten by white-tailed deer.[9]

Conservation and management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. [[1]]. Native Florida Wildflowers. Accessed: April 12, 2016
  2. [[2]] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed: April 4, 2019
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 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.
  4. USDA, NRCS. (2016). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 4 April 2019).
  5. [[3]]NatureServe. Accessed: April 12, 2016
  6. 6.0 6.1 Weakley, A. S. (2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States. Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Herbarium.
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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.