Aphanes
Encyclopedia
Aphanes is a genus in the rose family, Rosaceae
, native to Europe
, Asia
and Australia
. A study from 2003 (see Rosoideae
) indicates that Aphanes may belong to the genus Alchemilla
, commonly called Lady's-mantle. They are slender, annual prostrate herb
s, much-branched with deeply lobed leaves
, pilose (covered with soft hair) and on short petiole
s. The tiny green to yellow flower
s without petal
s grow in clusters in the denticulate leaflike stipule
s.
Selected species:
Rosaceae
Rosaceae are a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla , Sorbus , Crataegus , Cotoneaster , and Rubus...
, native to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. A study from 2003 (see Rosoideae
Rosoideae
The rose subfamily Rosoideae consists of more than 850 species, including many shrubs, perennial herbs, and fruit plants such as strawberries and brambles...
) indicates that Aphanes may belong to the genus Alchemilla
Alchemilla
Alchemilla is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the Rosaceae, and a popular garden herb with the common name Lady's mantle. There are about 300 species, the majority native to cool temperate and subarctic regions of Europe and Asia, with a few species native to the mountains of Africa,...
, commonly called Lady's-mantle. They are slender, annual prostrate herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s, much-branched with deeply lobed leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
, pilose (covered with soft hair) and on short petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
s. The tiny green to yellow flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s without petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s grow in clusters in the denticulate leaflike stipule
Stipule
In botany, stipule is a term coined by Linnaeus which refers to outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk...
s.
Selected species:
- Aphanes arvensis - Field Parsley-piert, Western Lady’s-mantle, Parsley Breakstone
- Aphanes australiana - Australian Piert
- Aphanes cotopaxiensisAphanes cotopaxiensisAphanes cotopaxiensis is a species of plant in the Rosaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador.-References:* Romoleroux, K. & Pitman, N. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Aphanes australis (syn. A. inexspectata, A. microcarpa) - Slender Parsley-piert
- Aphanes occidentalisAphanes occidentalisAphanes occidentalis is a species of plant in the Rosaceae family. It is native to California. There is some confusion about the varieties and species in Aphanes, but the Second Edition of the Jepson Manual recognizes this species.- External links :...
- Dew Cup/Lady's Mantel