Richardia scabra

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Richardia scabra
Richardia scabra - Mexican clover 01.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Richardia
Species:
R. scabra
Binomial name
Richardia scabra
L.

Richardia scabra, commonly called rough Mexican clover [1] or Florida pusley, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is widespread, native to warm areas of both North America, South America and East African countries like in Central Kenya .

Contents

Description

The stems of R. scabra may reach a height between 1 and 7 decimeters (4 to 27.5 inches). The leaves are oppositely arranged, and lanceolate to elliptic in shape. They range in size from 2.5 to 7 centimeters (1 to 2.75 inches) in length. [2] Individuals produce white flowers, inflorescence beginning as early as March and may last through December. [2] [3] The fruit produced by R. scabra is leathery in texture and is 3 to 4 millimeters in length. [2]

Habitat

In the southeastern United States, this species is often found in disturbed habitats, with individuals observed in habitats such as along roadsides and within vacant lots. [4] [5]

Within the United States' Coastal Plain region, R. scabra occurs within environments that possess fine sandy loams with slow permeability. [6] Individuals have been documented in habitats such as upland pine communities and woodlands. [5]

References

  1. NRCS. "Richardia scabra". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Radford et al 1964">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. 981. Print.
  3. 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: 13 DEC 2016
  4. Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States
  5. 1 2 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: : R. Komarek, Robert K. Godfrey, Andre F. Clewell, R. A. Norris, Loran C. Anderson, Edwin L. Tyson, D. E. Breedlove, Peter H. Raven, K E Blum, J. Dwyer, H. Loftin, Edwin L. Tyson, C. Kupfer, H. Smith, G. Martinez Calderon. States and Counties: Florida: Leon, Lafayette, Liberty. Georgia: Baker, Thomas. Country: Panama, Mexico.
  6. Lewis, C. E. and T. J. Harshbarger. 1976. "Shrub and herbaceous vegetation after 20 years of prescribed burning in the South Carolina coastal plain". Journal of Range Management 29:13-18.