Stephanomeria minor

• Interesting Facts
• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Interesting Facts

Common Names

Description

Family Compositae

The largest family of flowering plants , the Compositae (Asteraceae), comprising about 1,100 genera and more than 20,000 species and characterized by many small flowers arranged in a head looking like a single flower and subtended by an involucre of bracts. A head may consist of both ray flowers and disk flowers, as in the sunflower, of disk flowers only, as in the burdock, or of ray flowers only, as in the dandelion.

Tribe Lactuceae

The Lactuceae are a tribe of closely related genera of the sunflower family that are easily recognized because the flowering heads are composed of wholly of ligulate florets that are usually 5-lobed. Another very distinguishing feature is the milky sap . Although not apparent without magnification, the pollen is distinctive in that the spines are more or less restricted to discrete ridges or flanges on the surface of the grain. In other members of the family the spines are distributed more or less evenly over the surface of the pollen grain . The pappus usually consists of scales or stiff hairs . -- Gerald D. Carr.

Genus Stephanomeria

Annuals , 10-200 cm, taprooted, or perennials , 10-100 cm. with deeply seated, woody caudices or stout or slender, creeping rhizomes. Stems (1-8) erect , simple or branched, usually glabrous , sometimes hairy (especially when young). Leaves basal (withered at flowering in annuals and some perennials) and/or cauline (much reduced, bractlike in annuals and some perennials) ; usually sessile; blades linear to oblong , oblanceolate , or spatulate , usually runcinate, margins usually pinnately lobed (spinulose-tipped in S. parryi), sometimes entire or toothed (S. lactucina, S. tenuifolia, and S. fluminea (faces glabrous, puberulent , or tomentose ) ; distal bractlike (to 45 mm in S. fluminea). Heads borne singly or clustered (in paniculiform arrays in some subspecies of S. exigua). Peduncles not inflated distally, sometimes bracteate . Calyculi of 3-5, unequal bractlets (more numerous in some perennials; not distinguishable in S. cichoriacea), appressed or reflexed (some annuals). Involucres ± cylindric to turbinate , 2-3(-5+) mm diam. Phyllaries usually 5-12 in 1 series, equal (20-25 in 2-3 series, unequal in S. cichoriacea, usually glabrous, rarely puberulent, densely stipitate-glandular in S. exigua subsp. deanei). Receptacles flat, usually smooth (pitted in S. cichoriacea), glabrous, epaleate. Florets (4-) 5-16; corollas usually pink or lavender, sometimes white (annuals often purple-tinged abaxially). Cypselae light tan to dark brown, columnar , sometimes slightly curved , 5-angled, apices truncate , faces equal, sometimes with ribs between faces, each face with central, narrow, longitudinal groove or furrow (not grooved in S. virgata), otherwise smooth or bumpy to tuberculate , usually glabrous (scaberulous in S. fluminea) ; pappi persistent (or only widened bases of bristles persistent after distal portions break off) or falling, of 5-40, distinct or basally connate in groups, white to tan, wholly or distally plumose bristles in 1 series. x = 8.

Species 16: w North America, n Mexico.

Because all the species of Stephanomeria have not previously been examined at one time, the present treatment provides the first unified picture of their variability, ecologic specializations, and geographic distributions. The genus includes six annual species (all in the flora ) and ten perennial species (eight in the flora, one in the mountains of northern Baja California, and one known only from Guadalupe Island, Mexico).

Taxonomic distinctions among annual species of Stephanomeria did not become evident until their morphology and geographic distributions were correlated with their chromosome numbers and reproductive compatibilities (L. D. Gottlieb 1971, 1972). The same studies also provided an hypothesis that satisfactorily accounted for their variability. Studies showed that S. exigua and S. virgata differed for a relatively large number of characters and that other annual species originated from genetic segregates that were formed by hybridization, at both diploid and tetraploid levels, as well as directly from S. exigua.

Stephanomeria exigua has five subspecies; S. virgata has two. Within each species, the subspecies share numerous morphologic features as well as chromosomal karyotype . They are recognized as polytypic because reproductive compatibility between any pair of subspecies of S. exigua or between subspecies of S. virgata is substantially higher than is the compatibility between the two species. The two species appear to represent a fundamental phylogenetic divergence within annuals; nevertheless their different features are combined in different ways in S. elata and S. diegensis.

Stephanomeria paniculata and S. malheurensis probably evolved more or less directly from S. exigua subsp. coronaria. The speciation process that gave rise to S. malheurensis (L. D. Gottlieb 1978) has been examined in a series of studies (Gottlieb 1973b, 1977, 1979; S. Brauner and Gottlieb 1987, 1989). The origin of the highly self-pollinating S. paniculata may have been similar but much less evidence is available. Stephanomeria malheurensis has served as a model for reintroduction of a species back into its original habitat after local extinction , in its case by competition from invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).

Information about evolution and speciation is not so available for the perennials as for the annuals. Treatment of perennials is based almost entirely on examination of herbarium specimens plus published information describing their chromosome numbers. Although little is known about phylogenetic relationships among perennial species of Stephanomeria, a recent DNA sequencing study of nuclear rDNA (J. Lee et al. 2002) showed that the genus does not include either Munzothamnus blairii (previously S. blairii) or Pleiacanthus spinosus (previously S. spinosa). Without them, Stephanomeria is a well-supported, monophyletic group of species.

The DNA analysis suggested that Stephanomeria tenuifolia, S. runcinata, S. fluminea, and S. thurberi comprise a subclade. Those four species are perennial and all have fully plumose , white pappus bristles. They differ markedly in their ecologic specializations, as indicated in their treatments below. The DNA studies also showed a very close relationship between S. malheurensis and S. exigua subsp. coronaria consistent with results of previous studies (cited above). It is to be hoped that taxonomic information presented below will make species of Stephanomeria more easily accessible to continuing studies.[1]

Physical Description

Habitat

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 2,998 meters (0 to 9,836 feet).[2]

Biology

Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Taxonomy

Synonyms

Lygodesmia minor Hook.

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 15-Mar-2000

Similar Species

Members of the genus Stephanomeria

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 27 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus:

S. blairii (Blair's Wirelettuce) · S. cichoriacea (Chicoryleaf Wirelettuce) · S. diegensis (Wreathplant) · S. elata (Santa Barbara Wirelettuce) · S. exigua (Small Wirelettuce) · S. exigua deanei (Deane's Wirelettuce) · S. exigua exigua (Small Wirelettuce) · S. exigua macrocarpa (Small Wirelettuce) · S. lactucina (Creeping Wirelettuce) · S. lygodesmoides (Skeleton Wirelettuce) · S. malheurensis (Malheur Wire Lettuce) · S. minor (Lesser Wirelettuce) · S. minor var. minor (Narrowleaf Wirelettuce) · S. minor var. myrioclada (Narrowleaf Wirelettuce) · S. minor var. uintensis (Uinta Wirelettuce) · S. paniculata (Tufted Wirelettuce) · S. parryi (Parry Wire Lettuce) · S. pauciflora (Brownplume Wirelettuce) · S. pauciflora var. Pauciflora (Wire-Lettuce) · S. runcinata (Desert Wirelettuce) · S. schottii (Schott Wire Lettuce) · S. spinosa (Spiny Skeletonweed) · S. tenuifolia var. tenuifolia (Narrowleaf Wirelettuce) · S. thurberi (Thurber Wire Lettuce) · S. virgata (Rod Wirelettuce) · S. virgata pleurocarpa (Wand Wirelettuce) · S. wrightii (Wright's Wirelettuce)

More Info

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Further Reading

• A flora of northwest America, containing brief descriptions of all the known indigenous and naturalized plants growing without cultivation north of California, west of Utah, and south of British Columbia. Portland, Or., 1903. url .
• A preliminary catalogue of the flora of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands. Victoria, B.C., Printed by W. H. Cullin, 1921. url p. 86.
• A provisional host-index of the fungi of the United States, by W. G. Farlow and A. B. Seymour. Cambridge, 1888-91. url p. 205, p. 68.
• American plants. .. [Descriptions, bibliographical notes, synonymy, and other information, comp. from many sources] Charles Russell Orcutt, editor. San Diego, Calif., [1907]-1910. url p. 634, p. 759.
• An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British possessions: from Newfoundland to the parallel of the southern boundary of Virginia, and from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the 102d meridian / by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Addison Brown. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1896-1898. url p. 268.
• Biologia centrali-americana; or, Contributions to the knowledge of the fauna and flora of Mexico and Central America. London, Pub. for the editors by R. H. Porter and Dulau & co., 1879-88. url .
• Botany Cambridge, Mass., John Wilson and Son, 1880 url p. 428.
• Botany. Cambridge, Mass., Welch, Bigelow, University Press, 1876-80. url p. 428, p. 428.
• Botany. Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1871. url .
• Britton, N. L. (ed.). North American flora. 7 1921 [New York]New York Botanical Garden. url p. 436.
• Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 25 1898 New York: Torrey Botanical Club, 1870-1996 url p. 124.
• Bulletin of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories / Department of the Interior. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1874- url p. 245.
• Catalogue of Canadian plants. .. Montreal [etc.]1883-1902. url , p. 284, p. 284.
• Compositae of southern California / by Harvey Monroe Hall. Berkeley, [Calif.]: The University Press, 1907. url p. 256.
• Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 4 1893 Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1890- url p. 145, p. 238, p. 247, p. 539, p. 610, p. 623.
• Contributions to Canadian botany / by Jas. M. Macoun. Ottawa: [s. n.], 1894-1906. url p. 48.
• Descriptions of new species of fungi / Buffalo, N.Y.: Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, 1873 url p. 188.
• Exploration and survey of the Valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah: including a reconnoissance of a new route through the Rocky Mountains / Philadelphia: Lippincott, Gramabo & Co., 1852. url p. 208, p. 486.
• Exploration and survey of the valley of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, including a reconnoissance of a new route through the Rocky Mountains. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1852. url p. 208, p. 486.
• First report on the flora of Wyoming / Aven Nelson. Laramie: Wyoming Experiment Station, 1896. url p. 146.
• Flora of southern British Columbia and Vancouver Island: with many references to Alaska and northern species / by Joseph Kaye Henry. Toronto: W.J. Gage, c1915. url p. 324.
• Flora of the Yellowstone National Park / by Frank Tweedy. Washington, D.C.: F. Tweedy, 1886. url p. 50, p. 50.
• Flora of the state of Washington / by Charles V. Piper. Washington: G.P.O., 1906 url p. 539.
• IV.
• Journal of botany, British and foreign. London: Robert Hardwicke, 1863-1942. url p. 346.
• Journal of the proceedings of the Linnean Society. Botany. 7 1864 London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts: ||Williams and Norgate, 1857-1864. url p. 136.
• List of Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta growing without cultivation in northeastern North America. New York, 1893-1894. url .
• Manual of the botany (Phaenogamia and Pteridophyta) of the Rocky mountain region, from New Mexico to the British boundary. By John M. Coulter. and Chicago: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor, and company, 1885. url p. 215.
• Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden. New York: The Garden, 1900- url p. 453, p. 453.
• New manual of botany of the central Rocky mountains (vascular plants) Cincinnati [etc.]American Book Company[c1909] url .
• Pittonia: a series of papers relating to botany and botanists /by Edward L. Greene. 2 1889-1892 Berkeley, Calif. [etc.]: Doxey & Co. [etc.], 1887-1905. url p. 130.
• Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 8 1885 Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, [etc.] url p. 457, p. 481.
• Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Made under the direction of the secretary of war, in 1853-[6]. .. Washington, A.O.P. Nicholson, Printer [etc.]1855-60. url p. 101, p. 114, p. 14, p. 24, p. 78, p. 78.
• Rocky Mountain wild flower studies; an account of the ways of some plants that live in the Rocky Mountain region, by Burton O. Longyear. .. with illustrations from nature by the author. Denver, Merchants Publishing Co., c1909 url p. 215.
• Smithsonian contributions to knowledge. Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1848-1916. url p. 103, p. 128.
• Smithsonian miscellaneous collections. 31 1888 Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1862-1968. url p. 413.
• Synoptical flora of North America: the Gamopetalae, a second edition of vol. I, pt. II, and vol. II, pt. I / collected by Asa Gray. Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1888. url p. 413.
• Text-book of western botany: consisting of Coulter's Manual of the botany of the Rocky mountains, to which is prefixed Gray's lessons in botany. For the use of schools and colleges between the Mississippi river and the Rocky moun Chicago: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor, and Company, 1885. url p. 215.
• The Canadian record of science. Montreal: Natural History Society, 1884-1916. url p. 48.
• The London journal of botany: containing figures and descriptions of such plants as recommend themselves by their novelty, rarity, history, or uses: together with botanical notices and information and and occasional portraits and memoirs of eminent botanists. 6 1847 London: H. Baillie?re, 1842-1848. url p. 254.
• The flora of southwestern Colorado / by T.S. Brandegee. Washington: Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, 1876. url p. 245.
• Torrey, J. & A. Gray A flora of North America: containing abridged descriptions of all the known indigenous and naturalized plants growing north of Mexico, arranged according to the natural system /by John Torrey and Asa Gray. 2 1841-1843 New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1838-[1843]. url p. 472, p. 472.
• Torrey, J. Report on the United States and Mexican boundary survey: made under the direction of the secretary of the Interior /by William H. Emory, major First Cavalry, and United States commissioner. 2(1) 1859 Washington: C. Wendell, printer, 1857-59. url p. 105, p. 105, p. 257.
• Watson, S. Botany /by Sereno Watson, aided by Daniel C. Eaton, and others. 5 1871 Washington, D.C.: G.P.O., 1871. url p.
• Gottlieb, L. D. 1971. Evolutionary relationships in the outcrossing diploid annual species of Stephanomeria (Compositae). Evolution 25: 312-329.
• Gottlieb, L. D. 1972. A proposal for classification of the annual species of Stephanomeria (Compositae). Madroño 21: 463-481.

Notes

Contributors

• Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-present. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Zwaag, The Netherlands. Accessed January 12, 2012.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed December 30, 2006. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 5 providers.

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 19, 2007:

• School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium
• School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, The Deaver Herbarium, Northern Arizona University
• USDA PLANTS, USDA PLANTS Database

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2676645
• Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: ITS-565544
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13736008
• Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:251193-1
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 565544
• U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: STTEM STTE
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 63314

Footnotes

1. L. D. Gottlieb "Stephanomeria". in Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 219, 349, 350, 351, 354, 360, 361, 370. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
2. Mean = 1,390.050 meters (4,560.532 feet), Standard Deviation = 635.930 based on 173 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]

©2004-2012 David Stang. All rights reserved.