Conradina etonia
Conradina etonia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Conradina |
Species: | C. etonia
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Binomial name | |
Conradina etonia Kral & McCartney
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Conradina etonia is a rare species of shrub in the mint family known by the common name Etonia rosemary. It is endemic to Putnam County, Florida, where it is known from about 8 populations on Etoniah Creek State Forest containing fewer than 1000 total individuals.[4][5] It has a specific habitat requirement and the main threat it faces is destruction and degradation of its habitat.[4] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.[2]
Characteristics
This is an aromatic, branching shrub that reaches 1.5 meters in maximum height. The leaves have hairy, veiny, glandular blades with rolled edges. The inflorescence is a cluster of several double-lipped lavender flowers marked with darker streaks and dots.[1] They are attractive to bees and butterflies.[5]
Habitat
This plant is a member of the Florida scrub ecosystem. It is found alongside sand pines (Pinus clausa), scrub palmetto (Sabal etonia), oaks (Quercus spp.), and wild blueberries (Vaccinium spp.).[4] It is part of the vegetation that is home to the federally threatened Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coeleruscens).[3]
Endangered status
This plant was discovered in 1990 and described to science as a new species in 1991.
The majority of populations occur on protected land today. The Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended the species be downlisted to threatened status.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b NatureServe (1 September 2023). "Conradina etonia". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Etonia rosemary (Conradina etonia)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d David Martin; USFWS (12 July 1993). "Endangered or threatened status for five Florida plants". Federal Register. 58 (131): 37432–37443. 58 FR 37432
- ^ a b c d e USFWS. Conradina etonia Five-year Review. June 2007.
- ^ a b Conradina etonia. Archived 2011-03-06 at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
- ^ Kral, R. and R. B. McCartney. (1991). A new species of Conradina (Lamiaceae) from northeastern peninsular Florida. Sida 14:391-398.
- ^ USFWS. Conradina etonia Species Account. North Florida Ecological Services Office.