Pinguicula ionantha

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Pinguicula ionantha

Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]

ESA)[2][3]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lentibulariaceae
Genus: Pinguicula
Species:
P. ionantha
Binomial name
Pinguicula ionantha
Godfrey

Pinguicula ionantha is a rare species of flowering plant in the

Florida Panhandle. It is threatened by the loss of its habitat,[1] and it is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.[2]

This plant is a perennial herb forming a rosette of bright green fleshy leaves with rolled edges. These leaves, each up to 8 centimeters long, are coated with sticky glandular hairs on their upper surfaces. Species in genus Pinguicula are carnivorous plants that use such hairs to trap insects, which they digest for nutrients.[4] The flower is borne on an erect scape up to 15 centimeters tall which forms in February through April.[4] The flower is pale violet with a darker violet throat which may have darker purple veining. The corolla is up to 2 centimeters wide with a greenish spur on the back end about half a centimeter long. At the center of the flower is a conical palate covered in yellow or red hairs. The lobes of the corolla have white hairs.[1]

The plant is known from six counties between Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida. There are 83 historical occurrences, and plants were located at 43% of the sites in recently surveyed. Though drought may have reduced recent plant numbers, the species is believed to be declining overall.[4]

The butterwort grows in

swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) in this area. When a fire does occur, this rare plant and other native species become more abundant. Fire suppression remains a major threat to the habitat.[4]

Other threats include

paper pulp industry. The land is also cleared for urban development. Some plants have been observed growing near roads, and road maintenance affects them, and in some cases has led to extirpation. One population was affected by Hurricane Frances in 2004 when the storm surge introduced saltwater to the habitat. In the past, this plant was subject to overcollection by plant enthusiasts. The plant is now in propagation and the International Carnivorous Plant Society has a permit to sell seeds.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c NatureServe (1 September 2023). "Pinguicula ionantha". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Godfrey's butterwort (Pinguicula ionantha)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  3. ^ 58 FR 37432
  4. ^ a b c d e USFWS. Pinguicula ionantha Five-year Review. July 2009.

External links

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