Ichtyoselmis macrantha
Encyclopedia
Ichtyoselmis macrantha (also spelled Ichthyoselmis; formerly known as Dicentra macrantha; large-flowered dicentra) is the only species
in its genus
. It is a perennial
growing from a long rhizome
, native to woodland
and glade
s at elevations of 1500–2700 m (4,921.3–8,858.3 ft) in northern Burma and southern China
.
In Sichuan
Province, China, it is known as goldfish plant, because of the shape and color of the flowers.
ichthŷs "fish" and selmís "fishing line". Although the correct spelling of the Greek word uses th (theta
), the scientific name uses t.
are divided in threes twice or three times and toothed.
Flower
s hang at the end of leafy stems up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall in cymes of 3-14 flowers and have 2 long, thin sepals and 4 cream to pale yellow petal
s. The 2 outer petals are bent outwards. The 2 inner petals are connected at the tip and pointed.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in its genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
. It is a perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
growing from a long rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
, native to woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
and glade
Glade (geography)
A glade or clearing is an open area within a woodland. Glades are often grassy meadows under the canopy of deciduous trees such as red alder or quaking aspen in western North America. They also represent openings in forests where local conditions such as avalanches, poor soils, or fire damage have...
s at elevations of 1500–2700 m (4,921.3–8,858.3 ft) in northern Burma and southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
Province, China, it is known as goldfish plant, because of the shape and color of the flowers.
Etymology
Ichtyoselmis comes from GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
ichthŷs "fish" and selmís "fishing line". Although the correct spelling of the Greek word uses th (theta
Theta
Theta is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, derived from the Phoenician letter Teth...
), the scientific name uses t.
Description
LeavesLeaf
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....
are divided in threes twice or three times and toothed.
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 hang at the end of leafy stems up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall in cymes of 3-14 flowers and have 2 long, thin sepals and 4 cream to pale yellow 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. The 2 outer petals are bent outwards. The 2 inner petals are connected at the tip and pointed.
External links
- Germplasm Resources Information Network
- Flora of China
- Scientific-web
- 1, 2 — photos from a botanizing journey to Yunnan and Sichuan by Arche aux Plantes
- Shoot, gardening site