Mazus radicans | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | M. radicans
|
Binomial name | |
Mazus radicans (Hook.f.) Cheeseman
|
Mazus radicans, commonly known by its name swamp musk, is a Magnoliophyta herb of Phrymaceae in the genus Mazus, found north of New Zealand's North Island.[1]
Description
editMazus radicans is a small creeping wetland herb which is a native species in New Zealand.[2] It has main branches prostrate which is rooting at nodes. Those lateral branches are short and leafy and distinctive internodes can be seen on these leaf-bearing or subterranean and horizontal branches. Leaves are discolorous with some brown margins. petiole is 3-70 mm long. Purple flowers: external is white with purple flesh and the internal is deep purple. Stamens are hairless curved through 90° about 1-2.5 mm long.[3]
Distribution
editNatural global range
editYour text here.
New Zealand range
editYour text here.
Habitat preferences
editYour text here.
Life cycle/Phenology
editMazus radicans is perennial or annual herb.[4] It usually has flower from November to March in New Zealand. The flowering time is in summer. When it comes to autumn, fruits will be mature but they would not falling off from plant. Fresh seeds are easy to germinate and the best environment for its reproduction is permanently moist or badly drained earth under the shade, which is a good ground shelter.[5] The flowers of Mazus radicans are pollinated by bees.
Diet and foraging
editYour text here.
Predators, Parasites, and Diseases
editYour text here.
connection with Mazus novaezeelandiae
editAnother interesting thing is possible hybridization between Mazus radicans and Mazus novaezeelandiae. According to a mixture of specimens from north coast of Wellington, It is found that M. novaezeelandiae has typical tiny narrow-campanulate calyces and small corollas with a subglabrous palate. It could be a proof bud autogamous form like M. radicans. There are also two explanations. One possible reason is that these variants caused by hybridization. If it is because of clinical intergradation, this phenomenon could be more common in both islands. However, there is little evidence to prove in other aspects. The other explanation is intermediate specimens are a kind of variant which have same small-flowered form with M. radicans.
References
edit- ^ Barker, W.R. (1982). Evolution, adaptation and biogeography in arid Australian Scrophulariaceae. Evolution of the flora and fauna arid Australia. Peacock Publications, Frewville (now Norwood), South Australia (pp341-350)
- ^ Cheeseman, T. F. (1906). Manual of the New Zealand. Government Printer. Wellington.
- ^ Barker, W. R. (1990). A taxonomic revision of mazus lour. (scrophulariaceae) in Australia. Aspects of Tasmanian botany—A tribute to Winifred CurtisRoy. Soc. Tasm. Hobart: 85-94.
- ^ Barker, W. R. (1990). A taxonomic revision of mazus lour. (scrophulariaceae) in Australia. Aspects of Tasmanian botany—A tribute to Winifred CurtisRoy. Soc. Tasm. Hobart: 85-94.
- ^ Robin,s.,&Propel.(2018).New Zealand plant conservation network. Retrived from nzpcn.org.nz