Crocanthemum corymbosum

Herbs or subshrubs. Stems ascending to erect, 10–30(–50) cm, stellate-pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves cauline; petiole 1–5 mm; blade bicolor, obovate-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 12–35(–47) × 3–10(–13) mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse, surfaces stellate-pubescent, lateral veins raised abaxially. Inflorescences terminal, compound dichasia in corymbiform cymes; chasmogamous flowers 1–6 per dichasium, overtopping cleistogamous, cleistogamous 10–45 per dichasium, produced simultaneously. Pedicels 6–15 mm, villous and stellate-pubescent; bracts 2–7 × 0.2–1.2 mm. Chasmogamous flowers: outer sepals spatulate-linear, 2.4–4.5 × 0.7–1.2 mm, apex obtuse, inner sepals 3–7 × 2.5–3.6 mm, apex acute to acuminate; petals obovate, 6–11 × 5–9.5 mm; capsules 3.6–5.4 × 3–4 mm, glabrous. Cleistogamous flowers: outer sepals linear, 1.8–3 × 0.3–0.9 mm, inner sepals ovate, 2.2–4.8 × 1.2–3 mm, apex acute; capsules 1.6–3.8 × 1.4–3 mm, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering late Feb–Apr.
Habitat: Stable maritime dunes, maritime forests, sandy pinelands, live-oak woodlands
Elevation: 0–50 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Crocanthemum corymbosum is unique in Crocanthemum because of its corymbose inflorescence of long-pedicelled petaliferous flowers overtopping subsessile, apetalous flowers. Other species may produce long-pedicelled petaliferous flowers; the inflorescence shape is different. The two flower types develop synchronously, unlike in other species except C. glomeratum. The bicolored leaves, dark adaxially and pale abaxially, are a strong field and herbarium character.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.