Turricula (plant genus)
Encyclopedia
The Poodle-dog bush or Common turricula, Turricula parryi, is the only species currently classified in the genus Turricula, within the waterleaf subfamily, Hydrophylloideae. It is endemic to California
and Baja California
, and can be found from the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley
southwards to Baja California.
, but it can be distinguished from them by its greater height.
, the poodle-dog bush was placed within genus Eriodictyon
. It was subsequently moved to a genus of its own, and molecular phylogenetic analysis carried out by Ferguson (1998) confirms that Turricula should be treated as a separate genus within a clade
(Ferguson does not use the term "subfamily") that includes Eriodictyon, and also the genera Nama
and Wigandia
; Eriodictyon is the genus to which Turricula is closest in molecular terms, and is its sister taxon.
family, Poodle-dog bush causes severe irritation if touched, akin to poison oak
or stinging nettle
. It can raise blisters lasting as long as two weeks. This contact dermatitis
is due to prenylated phenolics exuded by hairs (glandular trichome
s) of the plant. The principal irritants are derivatives of farnesyl
hydroquinone
and 3-farnesyl-P-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Presumably because of its irritant properties, poodle-dog bush is rarely grown in gardens despite its attractive flowers, and it is difficult to grow in garden conditions. Native Americans used it medicinally: Zigmond (1981, p. 68) reports that the Kawaiisu
people used an infusion of the leaves to relieve swellings or rheumatism
, and Sparkman (1908, p. 230) also reports that the Luiseño people (who knew it as Atovikut) used it medicinally, though he does not specify for what purpose. No tests of the efficacity of these uses have been reported.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, and can be found from the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
southwards to Baja California.
Habitat
It is found in chaparral, on slopes and ridges from 100 to 2300 meters. Its seeds can remain dormant in soil for long periods, with the plant springing up quickly when the soil is disturbed or after a wildfire. It is very common in the area burned by the 2009 Station Fire in Southern California.Description
It grows into a moderate size, perennial woody shrub, branching from the base but with main stems extending for up to 3 meters. Is leaves are long and narrow, and may be toothed at the edge; they can be from 4 to 30 cm long. It flowers from June to August, having clusters (cymes) of attractive bell-shaped blue, lavender or purple flowers. However it has a rank smell. Its flower clusters and hairy stem are similar to those of many plants in the genus PhaceliaPhacelia
Phacelia is a genus of about 200 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants, native to North and South America....
, but it can be distinguished from them by its greater height.
Monotypic genus
When first described by Asa GrayAsa Gray
-References:*Asa Gray. Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.*Asa Gray. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.*Asa Gray. Plant Sciences. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001....
, the poodle-dog bush was placed within genus Eriodictyon
Eriodictyon
Eriodictyon is a genus of plants within the Hydrophylloideae subfamily of the Boraginaceae family.It includes Yerba Santa , along with other similarly named plants...
. It was subsequently moved to a genus of its own, and molecular phylogenetic analysis carried out by Ferguson (1998) confirms that Turricula should be treated as a separate genus within a clade
Clade
A clade is a group consisting of a species and all its descendants. In the terms of biological systematics, a clade is a single "branch" on the "tree of life". The idea that such a "natural group" of organisms should be grouped together and given a taxonomic name is central to biological...
(Ferguson does not use the term "subfamily") that includes Eriodictyon, and also the genera Nama
Nama
Nama may mean:* Nama band, a Greek music group* Nama , a genus of plants in the family Hydrophyllaceae* Holy Name in Indian religions* Nama , a hero in ? folklore who built an ark to save his family from a flood...
and Wigandia
Wigandia
Wigandia is a genus of flowering plants within the waterleaf subfamily, Hydrophylloideae. They are found mainly in Central America and South America, though one or two species are found as far north as the United States...
; Eriodictyon is the genus to which Turricula is closest in molecular terms, and is its sister taxon.
Skin irritant
Like many species in the forget-me-notBoraginaceae
Boraginaceae, the Borage or Forget-me-not family, include a variety of shrubs, trees, and herbs, totaling about 2,000 species in 146 genera found worldwide.A number of familiar plants belong to this family....
family, Poodle-dog bush causes severe irritation if touched, akin to poison oak
Poison oak
Poison oak may refer to* Toxicodendron diversilobum, grows on West Coast of North America* Toxicodendron pubescens, grows in the Eastern United Statesdamnnnnn tissss is terribleee...
or stinging nettle
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica...
. It can raise blisters lasting as long as two weeks. This contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a term for a skin reaction resulting from exposure to allergens or irritants . Phototoxic dermatitis occurs when the allergen or irritant is activated by sunlight....
is due to prenylated phenolics exuded by hairs (glandular trichome
Trichome
Trichomes are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants and certain protists. These are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae.- Algal trichomes :...
s) of the plant. The principal irritants are derivatives of farnesyl
Farnesol
Farnesol is a natural organic compound which is an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found as a colorless liquid. It is insoluble in water, but miscible with oils...
hydroquinone
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone, also benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, having the chemical formula C6H42. Its chemical structure, shown in the table at right, has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a para position. It is a white granular solid...
and 3-farnesyl-P-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Presumably because of its irritant properties, poodle-dog bush is rarely grown in gardens despite its attractive flowers, and it is difficult to grow in garden conditions. Native Americans used it medicinally: Zigmond (1981, p. 68) reports that the Kawaiisu
Kawaiisu
thumb|Kawaiisu FamilyThe Kawaiisu are a Native American group who lived in the southern California Tehachapi Valley and across the Tehachapi Pass in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains to the north, toward Lake Isabella and Walker Pass...
people used an infusion of the leaves to relieve swellings or rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
, and Sparkman (1908, p. 230) also reports that the Luiseño people (who knew it as Atovikut) used it medicinally, though he does not specify for what purpose. No tests of the efficacity of these uses have been reported.
External links
- Photos of poodle-dog bush on the CalPhotos site
- Jepson manual treatment of the species
- USDA PLANTS database entry for the species
- Article about stinging properties of the bush from the Orange County Register