Neviusia cliftonii
Encyclopedia
Neviusia cliftonii is a rare species of shrub
in the rose family
which is known by the common name Shasta snow-wreath. It is endemic to Shasta County, California
, where it is known from fewer than 20 occurrences in the mountains around Lake Shasta.
The shrub was not known to science until 1992, when it was discovered east of Redding, California
, and described as a new species in Neviusia
, previously a monotypic genus.
shrub reaching 2.5 meters in maximum height. The alternately arranged leaves are oval or heart shaped and lined with toothed lobes. The leaf blades reach 6 centimeters long and are borne on short petioles
. The inflorescence
is an umbel-like
cluster of 3 to 5 flowers. The flower is a ball of about 50 long, whiskery white stamen
s each about half a centimeter long. There are sometimes white petals surrounding the stamens, although the petals are often absent. The fruit is a soft-bodied achene
a few millimeters long.
When not in flower, the plant resembles common shrubs such as oceanspray
and ninebark
, one reason why it may have gone unrecognized for so long.
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
in the rose family
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...
which is known by the common name Shasta snow-wreath. It is endemic to Shasta County, California
Shasta County, California
Shasta County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The county occupies the northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, with portions extending into the southern reaches of the Cascade Range. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,223, up from 163,256...
, where it is known from fewer than 20 occurrences in the mountains around Lake Shasta.
The shrub was not known to science until 1992, when it was discovered east of Redding, California
Redding, California
Redding is a city in far-Northern California. It is the county seat of Shasta County, California, USA. With a population of 89,861, according to the 2010 Census...
, and described as a new species in Neviusia
Neviusia
Neviusia is a genus of ornamental plants, which are native to the United States, containing two extant species and one extinct species known from leaf fossils. This genus is a rare example of a disjunct range occurring in North America...
, previously a monotypic genus.
Description
Neviusia cliftonii is an erect deciduousDeciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
shrub reaching 2.5 meters in maximum height. The alternately arranged leaves are oval or heart shaped and lined with toothed lobes. The leaf blades reach 6 centimeters long and are borne on short petioles
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...
. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is an umbel-like
Umbel
An umbel is an inflorescence which consists of a number of short flower stalks which are equal in length and spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs....
cluster of 3 to 5 flowers. The flower is a ball of about 50 long, whiskery white stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s each about half a centimeter long. There are sometimes white petals surrounding the stamens, although the petals are often absent. The fruit is a soft-bodied achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
a few millimeters long.
When not in flower, the plant resembles common shrubs such as oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Holodiscus discolor, commonly known as ocean spray, creambush or ironwood, is a shrub of western North America. It is common in the Pacific Northwest where it is found in both openings and the forest understory at low to moderate elevations.-Description:Holodiscus discolor is a fast-growing...
and ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Physocarpus capitatus, commonly called Pacific ninebark or tall ninebark, is a species of Physocarpus native to western North America from southern Alaska east to Montana and Utah, and south to southern California....
, one reason why it may have gone unrecognized for so long.