Stephanomeria diegensis
| Stephanomeria diegensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cichorieae |
| Genus: | Stephanomeria |
| Species: | S. diegensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Stephanomeria diegensis Gottlieb | |
Stephanomeria diegensis is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name San Diego wirelettuce.[1] It is native to the coastal hills and ranges of southern California and Baja California, where it grows in many types of open habitat. It evolved as a hybrid of Stephanomeria exigua and S. virgata.[2] Furthermore, it is thought to be the result of homoploid hybrid speciation, which is uncommon.[3] The plant is frequently misidentified as one of its parents, especially if older taxonomic keys are used.[4] This is an erect annual herb easily exceeding two meters in height. Its slender stem has many spreading branches. The basal leaves are linear to lance-shaped and up to 10 centimeters long. The leaves wither early and are absent for most of the year, giving the plant a twiglike appearance. Leaves on the upper stem are small and reduced. The inflorescences are usually clusters of flower heads located at intervals on the stiff branches. Each head has a cylindrical base lined with phyllaries. These are often glandular. The head contains several ray florets, each with an elongated tube and a white or pink-tinged ligule measuring around a centimeter long. The fruit is a grooved achene tipped with a spreading cluster of long, plumelike pappus bristles.
References
- ↑ "Stephanomeria diegensis". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- ↑ Gallez, G. P. and L. D. Gottlieb. (1982). Genetic evidence for the hybrid origin of the diploid plant Stephanomeria diegensis. Evolution 36:6 1158-67.
- ↑ Sherman, N. A. & J. M. Burke. (2009). Population genetic analysis reveals a homoploid hybrid origin of Stephanomeria diegensis (Asteraceae). Mol Ecol 18:19 4049-60.
- ↑ Chester, T. S. diegensis: An analysis