Stifftia chrysantha

Stifftia chrysantha

Stifftia chrysantha

Diagnostic description:

"Key to Stifftia fruticosa and Stifftia chrysantha and its varieties

1.     Florets 10 - 15 per capitulum; phyllaries lanate-pubescent or only so apically; capitula 1 - 5 per

        cluster; pappus delft-rose or blood-red to magenta, reddish-pink or fuschia-purple (in fresh material)

        .................................................................................................................................................... S. fruticosa

        Florets 30 - 40 per capitulum; phyllaries glabrous; capitula always solitary; pappus usually reddish or

        yellowish orange ...........................................................................................................................................2

2.     Pappus reddish orange ..........................................................................S. chrysantha var. chrysantha

        Pappus yellowish orange ...........................................................................S. chrysantha var. flavicans"

The above key was taken from Robinson's 1991 article, "Two New Species of Stifftia with Notes on Relationships of the Genus (Asteraceae: Mutisieae)"

Mon, 2015-01-12 14:48 -- H. Robinson
Stifftia chrysantha

General description:

Stifftia chrysantha is a Brazil-centered member of the molecularly circumscribed tribe Stiffteae, in genus Stifftia. The genus is currently of great interest due to the uncertainty of its position in the basal grade of Compositae. Certain characteristics of S. chrysantha support its relation with the Guyana tepui-centered Gongylolepis clade.

S. chyrsantha has a woody stem with rough bark and can grow up between 8 and 10 ft. It has alternate, entire smooth leaves and reticulate veins. The involucre has 30 to 40 green, imbricated scales with short hairs. Actinomorphic corollas are pale orange below and darker above.

Evolution:

The evolutionary history of S. chrysantha is currently unresolved. Only 3 of 8 species of Stifftia have had molecular data analyzed, so the evolutionary relationships of the Stifftia species are unclear. It shares some characteristics with members of its sister clade, Gongylolepis, but it is unclear as to whether both groups originated from the tepui region of the Guyana shield or if an ancient event isolated populations of its common ancestor, resulting in separate evolution of each group. While the Stifftieae clades have no apomorphic characteristics, further analysis of potentially plesiomorphic characteristics will aid in the resolution of this taxa. (Funk et. al., 2009.)

Associations:

It is an attractive source of nectar and for many species of bees, butterflies and birds.

Distribution:

S. chrysantha is now only known wild in Rio de Jainero, but is cultivated widely throughout Brazil. (Hind & Semir, 1998)

Uses:

S. chrysantha is very widely cultivated throughout Brazil and South America, and in some other regions worldwide. At least one specimen has been noted in Florida.

Mon, 2015-01-12 14:48 -- hayleymerh

Compositae

Taxonomy

Stifftia chrysantha

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Stifftia chrysantha

Stifftia chrysantha

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Taxonomy

Stifftia chrysantha

Primary tabs