Drosophyllum

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Drosophyllum
Drosophyllum lusitanicum in the wild
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Drosophyllaceae
Chrtek, Slaviková & Studnička[1]
Genus: Drosophyllum
Link
Species:
D. lusitanicum
Binomial name
Drosophyllum lusitanicum
(L.) Link
Drosophyllum distribution
Synonyms
  • Drosera lusitanica
    L.
  • Drosophyllum pedatum
    Dutailly nom.nud.
  • Rorella lusitanica
    (L.) Raf.
  • Spergulus droseroides
    Brot. ex Steud. nom.illeg.

Drosophyllum (/ˌdrɒsoʊˈfɪləm/ DROSS-oh-FIL-əm, rarely /drəˈsɒfɪləm/ drə-SOF-il-əm) is a genus of carnivorous plants containing the single species Drosophyllum lusitanicum, commonly known as Portuguese sundew or dewy pine. In appearance, it is similar to the related genus Drosera (the sundews), and to the much more distantly related Byblis (the rainbow plants).

Description

The mucilaginous glands of the plant

Drosophyllum lusitanicum is a

styles, simple; capitate stigma. Fruit is in a unilocular capsule, and is partially divided into five locules, with irregular dehiscence by 3-5 teeth. Seeds are pear-shaped and rough, 2.5–3.0 mm (0.098–0.118 in) in diameter.[2]

The 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in)

circinate vernation).[3] Seed germination may be aided by scarification
.

Distribution and habitat

Drosophyllum lusitanicum is native to the western

heaths. In dry places and silicon, gravel or shale substrates, somewhat disturbed. It is a strictly calcific species, from sea level up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in altitude.[4][2]

Ecology

Insect prey stuck on the mucilaginous glands

The plant has a distinct sweet aroma, which attracts the insects upon which it preys. When insects land on the leaves, they find themselves stuck to the mucilage secreted by the stalked glands on the leaves. The more the insects struggle, the more ensnared they become, ultimately dying of suffocation or exhaustion. The plant then secretes enzymes which dissolve the insects and release the nutrients, which are then absorbed by the plant. The plant uses these nutrients to supplement the nutrient-poor soil in which it grows.

The genus had always been assumed to be closely allied to

Ancistrocladaceae
.

Classification

The

core eudicots. D. lusitanicum had previously always been included in the family Droseraceae
, as it catches insects with a method reminiscent of that used by many plants in that family.

Recent molecular and biochemical evidence (see the AP-Website) suggests the carnivorous taxa in the order

Ancistrocladaceae
.

  • Drosophyllum lusitanicum flower
    Drosophyllum lusitanicum flower
  • Drosophyllum lusitanicum in its native habitat in gravel soil
    Drosophyllum lusitanicum in its native habitat in gravel soil
  • Detail of the coiling process and mucilaginous glands viscosity
    Detail of the coiling process and mucilaginous glands viscosity
  • Drosophyllum lusitanicum seedling (note the pear-shaped seed on the bottom)
    Drosophyllum lusitanicum seedling (note the pear-shaped seed on the bottom)
  • An illustration of the mucilaginous glands by Darwin
    An illustration of the mucilaginous glands by Darwin

References

  1. hdl:10654/18083
    .
  2. ^ a b c "Drosophyllum" (PDF). Flora Iberica. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. doi:10.55360/cpn414.nh581
    .
  4. ^ "Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link". Flora-On. Retrieved 27 January 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Drosophyllum.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Drosophyllum&oldid=1219008902"