Lysimachia latifolia, sometimes called Trientalis latifolia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae.[1][2][3][4] It is known as starflower,[3][4][5] chickweed-wintergreen,[5] or Pacific starflower.[6]
| Lysimachia latifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Squak Mountain State Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Lysimachia |
| Species: | L. latifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lysimachia latifolia (Hook.) Cholewa
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
editIt is a low-growing, creeping perennial[5][7] reaching (5 to 30 cm (2.0 to 11.8 in)).[8] The roots are tuberous,[5][7] creeping rhizomes.[7] The stems are erect,[7] 10–20 cm (4–8 in) high.[5] It has 5 to 7 whorled, lanceolate, entire leaves distributed levelly in a single group.[7]
The flowers are white[5][7] or pink[5] flowers are borne in April[5] or May.[5][7] Calyx (the collective term for sepals) is 5- to 9-parted and persistent. Corolla (the collective term for petals) is also 5- to 9-parted, rotate,[5][7] with a very short tube[7] and elliptic-lanceolate segments. Stamens occur in the same number as the corolla lobes (5–9)[5][7] and are positioned opposite them.[5] 1-3 peduncles, 1-flowered, filiform, and ebracteate.[7] The ovary is one-celled. The style (gynoecium) is filiform.[5]
Habitat
editOccurs on moist, shaded[3][7] slopes in deep,[3] light[7] soil rich in organic matter,[3][7] particularly leaf mould.[7]
Distribution
edit- Canada: Occurs in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon.[9]
- United States of America: Occurs throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon,[9] and northern[5] California.[9]
Etymology
editThe former genus name Trientalis is derived from the Latin triens ('a third'), and is an allusion to the height of the plant, which is one third of a foot, or 4 in (10 cm) high.[5][10] Latifolia is derived from the Latin words latus ('broad or wide') and folia ('leaves') and means approximately 'broad-leaved'.[10]
The alternative name "Indian potato" refers to a small subterranean swelling at the stem's base, which is not listed as being edible by modern sources.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Lysimachia latifolia (Hook.) Cholewa". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ The Plant List http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-26400203
- ^ a b c d e Howell, John Thomas. "Marin Flora: Manual of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of Marin County, California", University of California, Ltd. Copyright 1949, 1970, 1985. ISBN 0520056213, pp 217
- ^ a b Emery, Dara E. "Seed Propagation of Native California Plants", 6th edition (printed 2011). Copyright 1988 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. ISBN 0916436039
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Parsons, Mary Elizabeth "The Wild Flowers of California", illustrated by Margaret Warriner Buck. Published by Cunningham, Curtiss & Welch, San Francisco 1912. Copyright William Doxey 1897, copyright Mary Elizabeth Parsons 1902, 1906. (no ISBN for this edition)
- ^ "When to expect the blooms?". National Park Service: Redwood. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. November 24, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Chittenden, Fred J., Synge, Patrick M., editors. 1977. "The Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening", edn. 2, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198691068. Volume 4, pp. 2145-2146
- ^ "Lysimachia latifolia". Jepson eFlora. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c USDA Plants database Trientalis latifolia
- ^ a b Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 231, 387
- ^ Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p. 586. ISBN 0-394-73127-1.