| Pityopus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Subfamily: | Monotropoideae |
| Tribe: | Monotropeae |
| Genus: | Pityopus Small |
| Species: | P. californicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pityopus californicus (Eastw.) Copeland f. | |
Pityopus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae containing the single species Pityopus californicus, which is known by the common name pinefoot. [1]
The plant is native to the mountains of the West Coast of the United States below 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in elevation, from Washington to the Bay Area in California. [1] It is uncommon throughout its range.
It grows in coniferous and mixed forest types. Habitats include mixed evergreen forest, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, and coastal coniferous forest. [2]
Pityopus californicus, a perennial herb, is a mycoheterotroph, parasitizing fungi for nutrients. It is cream or white in color, lacking chlorophyll. [1] It is the smallest mycotroph in the heath family. [3]
It produces a fleshy stemless peduncle above the leaf litter of the forest floor, reaching no more than 10 centimeters tall. It is covered with scale-like leaves, reduced as they do not perform photosynthesis.
The above ground portion of the plant is essentially just inflorescence, with 2 to 11 cylindrical white flowers blooming for a short time. The flower has four or five white petals and a hairy throat. The bloom period is May to July. [1]
It produces a berry under a centimeter wide containing many seeds. The mature plant has a scent reminiscent of Brie cheese, which may serve to attract pollinators. [4] After fruiting the plant withers away until the following flowering season.
Nemophila maculata, commonly known as fivespot, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae).
Eryngium aristulatum, known by the common names California eryngo and Jepson's button celery, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae.
Kelloggia galioides is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family known by the common name milk kelloggia. It is a perennial herb that is native to the Western United States.
Chaenactis santolinoides is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name Santolina pincushion. It is found in California.
Chlorogalum grandiflorum is a species of flowering plant known by the common name Red Hills soap plant. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada foothills, such as the Red Hills, of California, where it grows in chaparral, woodland, and forest.
Crepis acuminata is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name tapertip hawksbeard. It is native to the western United States where it grows in many types of open habitat.
Chaenactis suffrutescens is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name Shasta chaenactis.
Eryngium pinnatisectum is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, known by the common names Tuolumne eryngo and Tuolumne button celery.
Hackelia cusickii is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Cusick's stickseed.
Iris tenuissima is a species of iris known by the common name longtube iris.
Leptosiphon androsaceus is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name false babystars.
Leptosiphon harknessii is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Harkness' flaxflower.
Leptosiphon oblanceolatus is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Sierra Nevada linanthus.
Leptosiphon parviflorus is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name variable linanthus.
Oenothera primiveris is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names yellow desert evening primrose, bottle evening-primrose, and desert evening-primrose.
Plagiobothrys collinus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Cooper's popcornflower.
Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint, mountain mint, and California mint.
Senecio californicus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name California ragwort.
Trichostema oblongum, known by the common names oblong bluecurls and mountain bluecurls, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family.
Toxicoscordion brevibracteatum is a species of flowering plant known by the common name desert deathcamas. It is native to Baja California, Sonora, and California, where it grows in sandy desert habitat among creosote and Joshua trees.
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