Micranthes micranthidifolia

(Haworth) Small

Fl. S.E. U.S., 501, 1331. 1903 ,.

Common names: Branch-lettuce
IllustratedEndemic
Basionym: Robertsonia micranthidifolia Haworth Syn. Pl. Succ., 322. 1812
Synonyms: Aulaxis micranthidifolia (Haworth) Haworth Saxifraga micranthidifolia (Haworth) Steudel
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 60. Mentioned on page 53, 61.

Plants solitary or in groups, with bulbils on caudices. Leaves basal; petiole ± indistinct, (broad), flattened, 3–15 cm; blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, 4–35 cm, thin, base attenuate, margins irregularly serrate to dentate, ciliate, surfaces sparsely hairy. Inflorescences (30–)50+–flowered, very open, lax thyrses, 30–75 cm, pink- to purplish-tipped stipitate-glandular; (bracts gradually smaller distally). Flowers: sepals strongly reflexed, oblong; petals white, with 2 basal yellow spots that sometimes appear as 1 (sometimes faded in dried material), ± elliptic to spatulate, clawed, 2–3 mm, longer than sepals; filaments strongly club-shaped; pistils distinct almost to base; ovary superior, (to 1/3 adnate to hypanthium). Capsules green, sometimes purplish, folliclelike. 2n = 22.


Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Rocky seepage slopes, stream banks
Elevation: 400-2100 m

Distribution

V8 108-distribution-map.gif

Ga., Ky., Md., N.C., Pa., S.C., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

Micranthes micranthidifolia was formerly gathered by local people in the southern Appalachians as a spring “green” (hence the common name, “branch” being dialect for a small stream); it is still occasionally seen in local grocery stores.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Luc Brouillet +  and Patrick E. Elvander† +
(Haworth) Small +
Robertsonia micranthidifolia +
Branch-lettuce +
Ga. +, Ky. +, Md. +, N.C. +, Pa. +, S.C. +, Va. +  and W.Va. +
400-2100 m +
Rocky seepage slopes, stream banks +
Flowering spring. +
Fl. S.E. U.S., +
Illustrated +  and Endemic +
Aulaxis micranthidifolia +  and Saxifraga micranthidifolia +
Micranthes micranthidifolia +
Micranthes +
species +