Isophysis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Isophysis
Isophysis tasmanica, Mount Eliza, Southwest National Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Isophysidoideae
Thorne & Reveal
Genus: Isophysis
T.Moore[2]
Species:
I. tasmanica
Binomial name
Isophysis tasmanica
(Hook.) T.Moore[1]
Synonyms
  • Hewardia tasmanica Hook.

Isophysis is a

monotypic genus formerly known as Hewardia, it contains a single species,[3][4] Isophysis tasmanica is a Palaeoendemic found only in the south-west of Tasmania.[4]

The genus name is derived from the Greek words iso, meaning "equal", and physis, meaning "bladder".[5]

Habitat

Isophysis tasmanica is a dominant species within alpine sedge land. It is also found in coniferous, alpine, bolster and deciduous heathlands.[6] It occurs from sea level to 1300m.[7] The vegetation that it resides in is open in structure.[4] It grows on highly siliceous rocks.[4] It is often found on gravel slopes or rock crevices.[7]

Description

Isophysis tasmanica is a tufted plant with smooth leaves that come from a woody underground rhizome.

superior ovary, distinguishes it from any other member of the Iridaceae. Plants in the Iridaceae family are usually distinguished by the "septal nectaries" this is tissue in an ovary that produces nectar, but these are not present within Isophyis tasmanica.[9] This suggests that Isophyis tasmanica does not use nectar to attract pollinators.[9]

The former genus name Hewardia is used as a landmark name in Tasmania's southwest wilderness such as Hewardia Ridge on Mt. Picton located near Pineapple flats, named after the Pineapple Grass.

References

  1. ^ Bot. Not. 127: 107 (1974).
  2. ^ Proc. Linn. Soc. London 2: 212 (1853).
  3. ^ Royal Horticultural Society, Kew. A detailed checklist for genus Isophysis.
  4. ^ – via University of Tasmania.
  5. .
  6. .
  7. ^ .
  8. ^ Jordan, Greg (2019). "Isophysis (formerly known as Hewardia; Iridaceae)". Key to Tasmanian Vascular Plants. Archived from the original on 2005-02-17. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  9. ^
    JSTOR 3298546
    – via JSTOR.

External links