Crocanthemum corymbosum

(Michaux) Britton

in N. L. Britton and A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S., ed. 2, 2: 541. 1913.

Common names: Pine barren frostweed
Endemic
Basionym: Helianthemum corymbosum Michaux Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 307. 1803
Synonyms: Cistus corymbosus (Michaux) Poiret
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 6. Treatment on page 404. Mentioned on page 401.

Herbs or subshrubs. Stems ascending to erect, 10–30(–50) cm, stellate-pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves cauline; petiole 1–5 mm; blade bicolor, obovate-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 12–35(–47) × 3–10(–13) mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, surfaces stellate-pubescent, lateral veins raised abaxially. Inflorescences terminal, compound dichasia in corymbiform cymes; chasmogamous flowers 1–6 per dichasium, overtopping cleistogamous, cleistogamous 10–45 per dichasium, produced simultaneously. Pedicels 6–15 mm, villous and stellate-pubescent; bracts 2–7 × 0.2–1.2 mm. Chasmogamous flowers: outer sepals spatulate-linear, 2.4–4.5 × 0.7–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, inner sepals 3–7 × 2.5–3.6 mm, apex acute to acuminate; petals obovate, 6–11 × 5–9.5 mm; capsules 3.6–5.4 × 3–4 mm, glabrous. Cleistogamous flowers: outer sepals linear, 1.8–3 × 0.3–0.9 mm, inner sepals ovate, 2.2–4.8 × 1.2–3 mm, apex acute; capsules 1.6–3.8 × 1.4–3 mm, glabrous.


Phenology: Flowering late Feb–Apr.
Habitat: Stable maritime dunes, maritime forests, sandy pinelands, live-oak woodlands
Elevation: 0–50 m

Distribution

V6 763-distribution-map.jpg

Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Crocanthemum corymbosum is unique in Crocanthemum because of its corymbose inflorescence of long-pedicelled petaliferous flowers overtopping subsessile, apetalous flowers. Other species may produce long-pedicelled petaliferous flowers; the inflorescence shape is different. The two flower types develop synchronously, unlike in other species except C. glomeratum. The bicolored leaves, dark adaxially and pale abaxially, are a strong field and herbarium character.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Crocanthemum corymbosum"
Bruce A. Sorrie +
(Michaux) Britton +
Helianthemum corymbosum +
Pine barren frostweed +
Ala. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Miss. +, N.C. +  and S.C. +
0–50 m +
Stable maritime dunes, maritime forests, sandy pinelands, live-oak woodlands +
Flowering late Feb–Apr. +
in N. L. Britton and A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S., ed. +
Cistus corymbosus +
Crocanthemum corymbosum +
Crocanthemum +
species +