Clinopodium ashei
Common name: Ashe's calamint, Ashe's savory
| Clinopodium ashei | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae ⁄ Labiatae |
| Genus: | Clinopodium |
| Species: | C. ashei |
| Binomial name | |
| Clinopodium ashei (Weath.) Shinners | |
| |
| Natural range of Clinopodium ashei from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Synonym: Calamintha ashei (Weatherby) Shinners; Satureja ashei Weatherby
Description
C. ashei is a perennial, aromatic shrub with linear leaves arranged in opposite clusters [1] [2]. The bisexual flowers are pinkish-purple [2][3].
Ecology
Habitat
C. ashei is endemic to the Florida central highlands and southeastern Georgia, it occurs in pine-oak scrub ridges, and in Ceratiola scrubs [2](FSU Herbarium). It thrives in open areas of pine scrubs and disturbed sites such as abandoned fields, roadsides, and fire lanes [2][4]. Associated species include Osmanthus megacarpus, Ilex cumulicola and, Ceratiola ericoides (FSU Herbarium).
In order to reduce competition, C. ashei releases allelopathic compounds that prevent germination of other species' seeds, creating un-vegetated patches of sand [5].
Phenology
Flowers and fruits have been observed January through June (FSU Herbarium).
Fire ecology
Fire has been observed to kill all adult C. ashei individuals (Carrington 1999). Seedling frequency increases around ten months post-fire, with seedling probably established from seeds stored in a seed bank due to the absence of adult individuals (Carrington 1999).
Pollination
The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of Calamintha ashei at Archbold Biological Station (Deyrup 2015):
Apidae: Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, Epeolus erigeronis, Epeolus zonatus
Halictidae: Agapostemon splendens, Augochlorella aurata, Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Halictus poeyi, Lasioglossum nymphalis, L. puteulanum
Megachilidae: Anthidiellum notatum rufomaculatum, A.perplexum, Coelioxys germana, Hoplitis truncata, Lithurgus gibbosus, Megachile brevis pseudobrevis, M. campanulae, M. exilis parexilis, M. georgica, M. inimica, M. mendica, M. Megachile petulans, M. policaris, M. rugifrons, M. texana, Osmia calaminthae
Conservation and Management
Controlled burning is important for management of C. ashei. It is also important to open the canopy and expose bare sand using methods such as clear cutting and root raking [2].
Cultivation and restoration
Global rank: G3
Florida: S3[4]
Photo Gallery
Clinopodium ashei Photo by Kaitlin Griffith
Archbold Biological Station
Clinopodium ashei Photo by Kaitlin Griffith
Archbold Biological Station
References and notes
Carrington, M. E. (1999). "Post-fire seedling establishment in Florida sand pine scrub." Journal of Vegetation Science 10(3): 403-412.
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: John R. Bozeman, D. Burch, Buswell, L.J. Brass, Chas. C. Deam, R.K. Godfrey, O. Lakela, Sidney McDaniel, Elmer C. Prichard, D.B. Ward. States and Counties: Florida: Highlands, Marion, Polk, Volusia. Georgia: Tattnall. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
- ↑ [USDA Plants] Accessed December 3, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 [NatureServe]Accessed December 3, 2015
- ↑ [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center]Accessed: December 3, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 [Center for Plant Conservation] Accessed December 3, 2015
- ↑ [Georgia Wildlife] Accessed: December 3, 2015
