Achnophora is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae described as a genus in 1883.[1][2]
| Achnophora | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Subtribe: | Brachyscominae |
| Genus: | Achnophora F.Muell. |
| Species: | A. tatei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Achnophora tatei | |
The only known species is Achnophora tatei. This is a rare endemic found only on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.[3]
Description edit
Morphology edit
Roots edit
The rhizome of A. tatei is described as thick, hairless and vertical with bundles of short thick rootlets attached.[4][5]
Leaves edit
Achnophora tatei leaves are in a rosette form at the base of the plant, with a long narrow leaf shape (linear) and sheath at the base of the leaf.[5]
Flowers edit
Achnophora tatei flowers take the form of a scape (single flowering stem arising from the rhizome).[5] The flower stems are red, thread-like, almost naked and about as long as the leaves.[6] Flowers are one-headed, have a rosette of bracts (small leaf like structures) surrounding the flower (involucre) which are close to hemispheric (i.e. half of a sphere).[5]
The bracts of the flower are generally arranged in three rows of unequal length, with similar grades of size, and range in shape with the bract being egg-shaped with broader end at base (ovate) to the bract being egg-shaped with the narrow end at base (obovate).[5] The bracts are 4 to 5 millimetres long and have dry and membranous margins.[6]
The receptacle or floral axis has conspicuous oblong (having a length greater than width) scales between the flowers.[6]
The ray-flowers are female in 1 row, with about 25 ligules which are narrow, blue and are an estimated 10 millimetres long.[6]
Disc-flowers are tubular, with the style-branches being slender (capillary).[6]
Anthers (pollen bearing structure which is part of the stamen) are blunt and rounded (obtuse) at the base.[6]
Taxonomy edit
Etymology edit
Achnophora tatei is commonly known as the Kangaroo Island daisy.[7]
The genus name Achnophora is derived from the Greek word 'achne' which means chaff and 'phoros' meaning bearing.[7] This refers to the clearly visible scales of the receptacle and pappus.[7] Tatei is named after Ralph Tate (1840-1901), a British born botanist and geologist, who was a professor of Natural Science at the University of Adelaide.[7]
Distribution and habitat edit
Achnophora tatei is found along the south coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia.[6] The species is found in wet, swampy places.[6]
Conservation edit
Achnophora tatei has been classified as a vulnerable species by the South Australian Government due to a restricted distribution and the impacts of increasing salinity.[7]
References edit
- ^ Mueller, Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von. 1883. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia 6:32
- ^ Tropicos, Achnophora F. Muell.
- ^ The Plant List Achnophora tatei F.Muell.
- ^ Mueller, F (1883). "Diagnoses of a new genus and two species of Compositae from South Australia". Transactions and Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of South Australia. 6: 31–33. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Kubitzki, K (2007). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants: VIII Flowering Plants Eudicots Asterales. Vol. 68. pp. 294–295. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Black, J (1929). Flora of South Australia Part IV. Bignoniaceae-Compositae (PDF). Vol. 4. p. 593. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Seeds of South Australia - Species Information". Seed of South Australia. Retrieved 11 Jun 2020.