Spergularia and bracts

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:21 pm

This is an extract from Flora europae keys of Spergularia:

==============================================

11a Inflorescence ebracteate above; petals narrowly
elliptical; capsule globose = S. diandra

11b Inflorescence bracteate (upper bracts often very short);
petals ovate; capsule ovoid to subglobose .... S. bocconi / S. rubra/ etc.
===============================================

My question is if a specimen from a pop in Mxlokk, has bracts (=bracteate) or not(=bracteate). Are the basal leaves considered as bracts or leaves? The central flower seems to have no direct bracts.

In the link below:
http://herbarivirtual.uib.es/eng-ub/ima ... 18253.html

there is an image of S.diandra (the web is a reliable source) which should be ebracteate, but there are leaf-like structure at the base of the inflorescene but the the central flower itself is 'nude' of any bracts.

On the other hand, on looking to this image:
http://herbarivirtual.uib.es/eng-ub/ima ... 81362.html

most of the flowers are nude.

Near the specimen shown below there was typical S. bocconei and compared, the specimen was more lax, largem and stipules which are as wide as long not to say wider!

Personally, I think that the specimen is S. bocconei, and the cluster of leaves at the base of every inflorescence branching are bracts.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:35 pm

I think it has bracts

Post by **MWP admin** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:04 pm

The question is if the group of leaf-like structures at the base are bracts or leaves! I also think that they should be referred to as bracts, though the doubt remains. Nevertheless, S. diandra shown in the links, have much less number of bracts/laves so my specimen is some kind of giant form of S. bocconei. Regards the taxon, did you noticed that Wikipedia in some authorative manner states that the correct name should be S. bocconi not bocconei / bocconii.

Regards
Stephen

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:01 pm

no never saw it as bocconi! ifhem wikipedia may be a misprint!
le those paper like structures are the bracts

Post by **MWP admin** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:24 pm

This is an extract from WIKI:

Spergularia bocconi (Boccone's sea-spurrey) is a species of the Spergularia genus, in the Caryophyllaceae family. It is named after the Sicilian botanist Paolo Boccone.

The epithet bocconi is sometimes modified to bocconii or bocconei. However, since Paolo Boccone used the Latinized form of his name, Paulus Bocconus, as was the practice of the time, bocconi is correct usage.

The papery structures are the stipules le?

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:44 pm

my god sorry! the papery structures are the stipules yes!

those that you referred to are the bracts

Post by **MWP admin** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:49 am

All right, all right - ma waqetx id-dinja pine

If the specimen is S. bocconei, then the species is very variable in habit. The two plants next to each other (this and a typical S. bocconei) looked quite different.

I remebered another thing -> about Spergularia salina , did you photogaphed the seeds - they should be conspicuously winged. I always meet S. bocconei - I also doubt S. rubra in Malta, but I have not much experience to state this.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:54 pm

The plants did not have any seeds when I photographed them. That is the main problem. Currently I am looking at the keys of Pignatti. I am getting more and more in doubt!
Will need to study this genus in more detail.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:41 pm

spergularia keys of Pignatti

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:07 pm

keys of Pignatti

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:18 pm

For example one of the photographs of Spergularia bocconii on the website, has at least 9 stamens! According to the key of Pignatti this might be Spergularia nicaeensis!

Mahh!
I think we need to take measurements

cheers

Post by **MWP admin** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:56 pm

Bocconii, bocconei, boconi.... even the epithet is misleading, anyway...

http://www.maltawildplants.com/CRYO/Spe ... cconei.php

Yes, as you said, the specimen with 9-10 stamens is very interesting. I think I remember where I photographed it, somewhere at Ghasri. I think I followed flora europaea and probably the seeds were unwinged.

So far, I never found a Spergularia with winged seeds.

Btw, S. salina = S. maritima ??? because pignatti does not mention it. I suggest you visit again The sp. salina to confirm it, becasue it woud be an interesting record.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:33 pm

will visit the area again next few weeks. cheers

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:35 pm

Spergularia salina = Spergularia marina.

Post by **MWP admin** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:14 am

Thanks, yes i meant marina not maritima.

What do you think is meant by key 4a? The stipules are found half the length of the plant or they are half as long as wide?

Post by **MWP admin** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:46 pm

This is another Spergularia so different from the first group of photos. Small prostrate plants with triangular stipules ending with a ery pointed, sub-acuminate tip. The specimen above (starting this post) had a much more wider stipule. Only 2 flowers were present and no seeds. The habitat was a damp clearing on globigerina limestone (with scarse water percolating).

Maybe the ground was not fertile, washed from nutrients and the specimens of S. bocconei grew stunted/abnormal shape, but still, the stipules are different, and the flowers almost completely white, leaves aristate.

The question remains the same - are they different or both S. bocconei

BTW, now I understood key4a of Pignatti - it means if the stipule is connate half the length or just at the base.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:09 pm

we need seeds

that's what we need!
however triangular stipule = nicaaensis or bocconei