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lilaea
Scientific Name: Lilaea
Family: Juncaginaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Lilaea scilloides: Flowering Quillwort
Lilaea scilloides, commonly known as flowering quillwort or awl-leaf lilaea, is a fascinating aquatic plant with a unique story.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Lilaea scilloides
- Common Names: Flowering quillwort, awl-leaf lilaea
- Genus: Lilaea (monotypic, meaning it contains only one species)
- Family: Juncaginaceae (Arrow-grass family)
- Synonyms: Lilaea subulata Bonpl., Phalangium scilloides Poiret
Distribution and Habitat
- Lilaea scilloides is native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
- It thrives in aquatic environments, particularly in temporary wetlands.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Lilaea scilloides is an annual herb, growing up to 0.3 meters (1 foot) in height.
- It is a monocot, meaning it has one seed leaf.
- It flowers from July to August.
- Shoots of adult plants have a sympodial form, where each unit bears a single sheathing prophyll.
Ecological Role
- The provided text mentions the genus Lilaea as "peculiar" and suggests the species is common in the San Francisco Bay region, but does not definitively state that it is invasive. More information would be needed to determine its impact in this area.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Symbrenthia lilaea is a species of nymphalid butterfly, commonly known as the Common Jester, found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Resources and Further Information
- The Plant List: Includes taxonomic information and accepted species names for the genus Lilaea.
- Brazilian Flora Checklist - Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil
- Attalus.org: An index of names, including "Lilaea," from ancient sources.