Micranthemum micranthemoides
| Micranthemum micranthemoides | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Linderniaceae |
| Genus: | Micranthemum |
| Species: | M. micranthemoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micranthemum micranthemoides | |
Micranthemum micranthemoides (syn. Hemianthus micranthemoides),[2] commonly known as Nuttall’s mudflower or pearlweed in aquascaping,[3][4] is an extinct species of subaquatic Micranthemum that previously inhabited wet areas from Virginia to New York.[5] it is commonly misidentified as a similar species, Hemianthus glomeratus in aquascaping.[6]
Description
Micranthemum micranthemoides is a small subaquatic glabrous annual that exhibits creeping stems and ascending branches. Micranthemum micranthemoidesgrows 5-20 cm in height. Micranthemum micranthemoides has opposite, elliptic leaves measuring 2-5 mm. Leaves are entire. Flowers are both solitary and axillary. Each flower's collora is white measures 2 mm. Flowers contains two stamens which are inserted around the collora's throat. Micranthemum micranthemoides flowers September to October.[5]
Distribution
Micranthemum micranthemoides previously occurred in the mid-atlantic region of the United States. It grew in wet areas from Virginia to New York.[6] Before its extinction, it was a rare occurrence in tidal mudflats[5] and in the intertidal zone of river estuaries. It is said to have been highly specialized to these habitats.[7] It was last seen on 13 September 1941 by Fernald & Long.[8]
Misidentification
Plants labeled Micranthemum micranthemoides or Hemianthus micranthemoides are commonly sold in aquascaping as "pearlweed", but are not truly of this species. When examined, these planted sold as pearlweed were actually of a similar species, Hemianthus glomeratus, which is native to Florida. This misidentification was confirmed by Emeritus Ernie Schuyler when the aquascaping plants were compared to herbarium speciemens and descriptions of Micranthemum micranthemoides.[6] Micranthemum micranthemoides probably has never been cultivated as an aquarium plant.[7]
References
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Micranthemum micranthemoides Wettst". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Hemianthus micranthemoides". Aquascaping World. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ "Pearl Weed (Hemianthus micranthemoides)". The Planted Tank. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ a b c Rhoads, Ann Fowler; Block, Timothy A. (27 July 2007). The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual, Second Edition. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 784. ISBN 9780812240030.
- ^ a b c Teisher, Jordan, PhD (14 September 2020). "Sole Native Pa. Plant Now Extinct". Retrieved 29 July 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Hemianthus micranthemoides Nuttall's mudflower". Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Knapp, Wesley M. (15 September 2020). "TALES FROM THE CRYPT – EXTINCT PLANTS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN GRASSLANDS". Retrieved 29 July 2024.
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