Triteleia ixioides

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Triteleia ixioides
Triteleia ixioides ssp scabra 3.jpg
ssp. scabra
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Brodiaeoideae
Genus: Triteleia
Species:
T. ixioides
Binomial name
Triteleia ixioides
Synonyms

Brodiaea lutea

Triteleia ixioides, known as prettyface [1] or golden star, [2] is a monocotyledon flowering plant in the genus Triteleia . It is native to northern and central California and southwestern Oregon, where it can be found in coastal and inland coniferous forests and other habitat. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a corm. It produces one to two basal leaves up to 50 centimeters long by 1.5 wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect stem up to 80 centimeters tall. It is an umbel-like cluster of several flowers each borne on a pedicel up to 7 centimeters long. The flowers are variable in size, measuring one to nearly three centimeters in length. They are pale to bright yellow, or sometimes purple-tinged white. There are six tepals with darker midveins in shades of green, brown, or purple. The lobes are funnel-shaped and may open flat or somewhat reflexed. The six stamens form a fused tube that protrudes from the corolla; they have broad, flat filaments and whitish, yellowish, or blue anthers.

Contents

Description

Triteleia ixioides is a perennial, herbaceous, monocotyledon plant growing from an underground corm. The plant produces one or two grass-like, linear leaves about 10–50 cm (4–20 in) long by 3–15 mm (0.1–0.6 in) wide that emerge from the top of the corm in early spring. [3] [4] [5] Like an onion, the leaves have a keel (longitudinal ridge) on the underside and a channel on the upper side with straight margins and a smooth surface. [4] In mature plants, the leaves are followed by production of a stiff, cylindrical scape (flower stalk) that is 10–80 cm (4–30 in) tall, 1–5 mm (0.04–0.2 in) diameter, and is mostly smooth although sometimes scabrous at the base. [4] [5]

At the top of the scape are several thin green bracts that enclose the developing buds. [4] As the flowers emerge these membranes peel back and shrivel. The flowers are borne in an umbel (like an onion flower), with each on a slightly upcurved pedicel 1–9 cm (0.4–4 in) long (up to 12 cm (5 in) in subspecies cookii) connected to the top of the scape. [3] [4] [5]

As with all Triteleia species, each flower has six tepals (three in an outer whorl and three in an inner whorl) that are fused into a perianth tube at the base but then separate into distinct lobes surrounding the mouth of the flower. [3] Triteleia ixioides flowers range from straw-colored to golden yellow (or very occasionally white flushed with purple), with the colors of the upper and lower tepal surfaces similar. [4] Each lobe has a distinct single midvein, which is generally brown or purple (or occasionally green). [4] Flowers are 12–27 mm (0.5–1 in) long overall. [4] The perianth tube is relatively short (3–10 mm (0.1–0.4 in)) with an acute base. [4] [5] ( Triteleia dudleyi is a similar, but less common species from high elevations in the Sierra Nevada that has a much longer tube with a rounded base.) The six free tepal lobes are 6–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) long and are generally perpendicular to the tube but may range from ascending to reflexed. [4] [5]

Inside the flower, the stamen filaments provide the primary identifying character separating Triteleia ixioides from related species, and distinguishing among the five described subspecies. Each stamen is attached to the corresponding tepal at the same height, but they alternate between short filaments (attached to the outer whorl of tepals) and long filaments (attached to the inner whorl). [4] The filaments are dilated (broad) and flattened and each has a forked pair of apical appendages that extend above the anther attachment. [4] The appendages on the three longer filaments are pointed and conspicuous. [4]

The anthers are 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long and may be colored white, cream, yellow or blue. [4] Anther color was at one time used as a character to identify some subspecies, but is no longer regarded as a reliable guide. The ovary is longer that the stipe supporting it. [4] Fertilized flowers form ovoid, capsular fruits that are loculicidally dehiscent (i.e. they split vertically down the center of each of the three chambers when ripe). [3] The seeds are black and somewhat spherical with a ridge on one side. The seed surface has relatively large irregularly distributed pits and at a finer scale is granulate or granulate–reticulate (i.e. bumpy with elements of a net-like arrangement). [3] The seed coat has a crust. [3]

Triteleia ixioides exhibits a considerable amount of polyploidy and reported chromosome numbers are 2n = 10, 14, 16, 24, 32, 40, 42, 50. [4]

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Triteleia ixioides was first formally described (under the name Ornithogalum ixioides) by William Townsend Aiton in the second edition of Hortus Kewensis in 1811, based on a specimen collected by Archibald Menzies "in California". [6] Aiton's published description was likely actually written by botanist Jonas Carlsson Dryander, working as a librarian for Joseph Banks, and so the author citation is given as "Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton". The specific epithet ixioides means "like Ixia", in reference to a slight similarity to that unrelated monocot genus from southern Africa. [6]

In common with many Triteleia species, Triteleia ixioides was the subject of substantial nomenclatural confusion during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A significant part of that confusion stemmed from rivalry between botanist Richard Anthony Salisbury and members of Britain's scientific establishment such as James Smith. In many cases, Salisbury rushed out his own descriptions of new taxa based on talks he had heard at institutions such as the Royal Society before they could be published by the genuine identifier. [7]

In 1866, Richard Anthony Salisbury created the genus Themis and placed this species into it as Themis ixioides.

In 1879, Baker placed the species under the genus Milla (Baker. In: J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11: 383. (1870)).

In 1879, S. Watson placed the species under the genus Brodiaea (S.Watson. In: Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 14: 238. (1879)).

In 1886, Edward Lee Greene published a wholesale re-evaluation of Triteleia and related genera. [8]

In 1891, Kuntze placed it in Hookera (Kuntze. In: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 712. (1891)).

In 1894, Edward Lee Greene placed it in Calliprora (Greene. In: Man. Bot. San Francisco: 318. (1894)).

Phylogeny and subspecies

Triteleia ixioides subsp. analina, plant (eastern High Sierras) Pretty face Triteleia ixioides ssp anilina plant.jpg
Triteleia ixioides subsp. analina, plant (eastern High Sierras)

There are five recognized subspecies: Triteleia ixioides ssp. analina, Triteleia ixioides ssp. cookii, Triteleia ixioides ssp. ixioides, Triteleia ixioides ssp. scabra, Triteleia ixioides ssp. unifolia. [9]

Distribution and habitat

Triteleia ixioides grows mostly in California, in an arc from the Transverse Ranges north through the Sierra Nevada, into the southern Cascade Range and the southeast slopes of the Klamath Range.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Triteleia</i> Genus of flowering plants

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brodiaeoideae</span> Subfamily of flowering plants

Brodiaeoideae are a monocot subfamily of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, order Asparagales. They have been treated as a separate family, Themidaceae. They are native to Central America and western North America, from British Columbia to Guatemala. The name of the subfamily is based on the type genus Brodiaea.

<i>Dipterostemon</i> Species of flowering plant

Dipterostemon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae. Its only species is Dipterostemon capitatus, synonym Dichelostemma capitatum, known by the common names blue dicks, wild hyacinth, purplehead and brodiaea, native to the Western United States and northwest Mexico.

<i>Triteleia lugens</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia lugens, the Coast Range triteleia or dark-mouthed triteleia, is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Coast Ranges north and south of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its habitat includes forests and chaparral.

<i>Triteleia lilacina</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia lilacina, the foothill triteleia, is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia.

<i>Triteleia crocea</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia crocea, with the common names yellow triteleia and yellow tripletlily, is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia.

<i>Brodiaea coronaria</i> Species of tree

Brodiaea coronaria is the type species of Brodiaea and also known by the common names harvest brodiaea and crown brodiaea. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in mountains and grasslands.

<i>Brodiaea elegans</i> Species of flowering plant

Brodiaea elegans is a species of flowering plant in the cluster-lily genus known by the common names harvest brodiaea, elegant brodiaea, and elegant cluster-lily.

<i>Triteleia clementina</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia clementina is a rare species of flowering plant known by the common name San Clemente Island triteleia. It is endemic to San Clemente Island, one of the Channel Islands of California, where it is known from about twenty occurrences. Its habitat includes moist, rocky, seaside grassland. It is a perennial herb growing from a corm. It produces two or three keeled, lance-shaped leaves up to 100 centimeters long by three wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect stem up to 90 centimeters tall and bears an umbel-like cluster of many flowers. Each flower is a funnel-shaped lavender or light blue bloom with six lobes measuring up to 1.5 centimeters long. There are six stamens with purple anthers.

<i>Triteleia dudleyi</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia dudleyi is a species of flowering plant known by the common name Dudley's triteleia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from sections of the High Sierra Nevada and the Transverse Ranges. It is a plant of subalpine climates, growing in mountain forests. It is a perennial herb growing from a corm. It produces two or three basal leaves up to 30 centimeters long by one wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect stem up to 30 or 35 centimeters tall and bears an umbel-like cluster of many flowers. Each flower is a funnel-shaped yellow bloom that dries purple. The flower has six lobes measuring up to 1.2 centimeters long. There are six stamens with lavender anthers.

<i>Triteleia grandiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia grandiflora is a species of flowering plant known by the common names largeflower triteleia, largeflower tripletlily, and wild hyacinth.

<i>Triteleia hyacinthina</i> Species of tree

Triteleia hyacinthina is a species of flowering plant known by the common names white brodiaea, white tripletlily, hyacinth brodiaea, and fool's onion. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Idaho to central California. Its habitat includes grassland and vernally moist areas such as meadows and vernal pools. It is a perennial herb growing from a corm. It produces two or three basal leaves up to 40 centimeters (16 in) long by 2 centimeters (0.79 in) wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect stem up to 60 centimeters (24 in) tall and bears an umbel-like cluster of many flowers. Each flower is a funnel-shaped bloom borne on a pedicel up to 5 centimeters (2.0 in) long. The flower is white, often tinged purple along the tubular throat, with six green-veined tepals. There are six stamens with white, yellow, or occasionally blue anthers.

<i>Triteleia montana</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia montana is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia. Its common names include Sierra triteleia, and mountain triteleia. It is endemic to California, where it is limited to the Sierra Nevada. It occurs in coniferous forests on granite soils. The Latin specific epithet montana refers to mountains or coming from mountains. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a corm. There are two or three basal leaves measuring up to 30 centimeters long and just a few millimeters wide. The inflorescence arises on an erect, rough-haired stem up to 25 or 30 centimeters tall. It is an umbel-like cluster of several flowers each borne on a pedicel up to 3 centimeters long. The flower is yellow with a dark midvein, and dries purplish. The funnel-shaped corolla is made up of six tepals up to a centimeter long each. There are six stamens with white or blue anthers.

<i>Triteleia peduncularis</i> Species of flowering plant

Triteleia peduncularis is a monocot flowering plant in the genus Triteleia. Its common names include long-ray brodiaea and longray triteleia. It is endemic to California, where it occurs in the coastal and inland mountain ranges of the northern and central sections of the state. It grows in vernally moist habitat such as meadows, grassland, and vernal pools, often in areas with serpentine soils. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a corm. There are two or three basal leaves measuring up to 40 cm (16 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide. The inflorescence arises on a smooth, erect stem up to 80 cm (31 in) tall. It is an umbel-like cluster of several flowers which are borne on very long, straight pedicels measuring up to 18 cm (7.1 in) long. Each funnel-shaped flower is white, often tinged purple, with six tepals up to 1.6 cm (0.6 in) in length. There are six stamens with white anthers, and the ovary at the center is yellow when the flower is young.

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<i>Babiana villosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Babiana villosa is a species of geophyte of 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) high that is assigned to the family Iridaceae. It has mauve-pink, purple or scarlet star-symmetrical wide chalice-shaped flowers with narrow tube, large, blackish or dark purple anthers, and velvety hairy, lance-shaped, laterally compressed leaves, set in a fan. Flowers occur during August and September. It grows between Malmesbury and Wellington in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is commonly called red babiana in English and rooibobbejaantjie in Afrikaans.

<i>Babiana sambucina</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Babiana mucronata</i> Species of flowering plant

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References

  1. Anderson & Roderick 2018.
  2. Everett 1982, p. 3409.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pires 2002a.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pires 2002b.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Pires & Keator 2017a.
  6. 1 2 Aiton & Aiton 1811, p. 257.
  7. Preston 2012, p. 16.
  8. Greene 1886, p. 142.
  9. "Triteleia ixioides (Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton) Greene | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-05-23.

Sources