your_comforting_company
08-07-2010, 11:54 AM
Not in my books and I'm not sure exactly how to classify it into a family.
At first glance it would appear to be in the aster family, but I'm pretty sure it's not because it isn't a composite "head". Let me see if I can describe it...
Flowers occur in clusters subtended by a whorl of leaves. Here is a cluster of calices (calyx).
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4743.jpg
Each one opens and appears to have 20 seperate petals, but you gotta look closely!! Each calyx actually opens to have 4 flowers with 5 petals each, and while they are mostly seperate, they are united about halfway up the corolla, i.e. if you try to pull off one small petal, the whole flower comes out. The ovary is inferior, i.e. below the point of attachment of the reproductive parts.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4742.jpg
leaves and stems are pubescent on both sides. Leaves are dark green above and much lighter underneath. Leaves are deeply veined.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4736.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4735.jpg
The plant is dichotomously branched (forked or "y-ed" in pairs) and stems are very pubescent also.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4728.jpg
Leaves alternate, but most are basal, and clasping with no petiole at the nodes (where it branches).
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4729.jpg
I can't find this in my books, and don't know where to start looking online. Any help is much appreciated. There is no milky sap (it's clear).
Thanks in advance!
At first glance it would appear to be in the aster family, but I'm pretty sure it's not because it isn't a composite "head". Let me see if I can describe it...
Flowers occur in clusters subtended by a whorl of leaves. Here is a cluster of calices (calyx).
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4743.jpg
Each one opens and appears to have 20 seperate petals, but you gotta look closely!! Each calyx actually opens to have 4 flowers with 5 petals each, and while they are mostly seperate, they are united about halfway up the corolla, i.e. if you try to pull off one small petal, the whole flower comes out. The ovary is inferior, i.e. below the point of attachment of the reproductive parts.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4742.jpg
leaves and stems are pubescent on both sides. Leaves are dark green above and much lighter underneath. Leaves are deeply veined.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4736.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4735.jpg
The plant is dichotomously branched (forked or "y-ed" in pairs) and stems are very pubescent also.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4728.jpg
Leaves alternate, but most are basal, and clasping with no petiole at the nodes (where it branches).
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/plants/DSCN4729.jpg
I can't find this in my books, and don't know where to start looking online. Any help is much appreciated. There is no milky sap (it's clear).
Thanks in advance!