'Hemigraphis traian' flower

4853 Views 19 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Cavan Allen, Dec 8, 2009

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2008 (Edited)

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquarium-pictures/showimage.php?i=5515&c=3

As you can see from the photo, the flower of this plant looks nothing like any species from the family Acanthaceae (which includes Hygrophila and Hemigraphis). I have the so-called Hemigraphis growing emersed under a combination of fluorescent bulbs and sunlight. Unfortunately, I did not see it when it was fresh. What you see above is dried. It is, without any doubt, from that plant.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...ls.php?id=150&category=genus&spec=Hemigraphis

As the structure of the inflorescence is entirely different, and does not at all resemble Hemigraphis and Hygrophila, it looks as though the plant is question is not a Hemigraphis.

Additionally, I have not been able to find any reference to any plant called 'Hemigraphis traian' in the scientific literature.

The inflorescence does bear a strong resemblance to those of Shinnersia rivularis (Mexican oak leaf) and Gymnocoronis spilanthoides, both of which are included in the family Asteraceae. I'm not saying that my plant is too, but it is food for thought.

The new uncertainty will be reflected in the Plant Finder, until such time as we can ascertain its true identity.

Edit: There appear to be some technical snags with the Plant Finder entry. They should be resolved soon.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

AaronT

· #2 · Jun 18, 2008

Cool pictures Cavan. Thanks for sharing.

ashappard

· #3 · Jul 8, 2008

yes, very interesting. I kept this plant some time ago and just recently re-acquired it. I'm interested to see what name is eventually attached to it.

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 8, 2008

It's not going to be easy. I talked to a botanist who is an expert on Asteraceae and he said that there are other families that have members with globular inflorescences and it might be Lamiaceae, which includes mint (Mentha), Pogostemon and...bee balm. But we'll see.

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 11, 2008

I got word back about this one. It is indeed from the family Lamiaceae, or mint family. Further digging will be necessary to discover the genus and species.

Tex Gal

· #6 · Jul 11, 2008

Cavan, I sincerely appreciate all the work you do for us. I wouldn't even begin to know where to start.=D>

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 11, 2008

I think a little detective work is fun and enjoy that kind of thing. It's nice to hear that someone appreciates my efforts. You're welcome.

hoppycalif

· #8 · Jul 11, 2008

Cavan Allen said:
I think a little detective work is fun and enjoy that kind of thing. It's nice to hear that someone appreciates my efforts. You're welcome.

Cavan, your efforts on the plant finder are invaluable to me. That is the best compilation of aquatic plants and their characteristics I have ever seen. PlantGeek may cover more plants, but the quality isn't anything close to that of the Plant Finder here. In fact the PlantFinder is the primary reason I chose this forum to remain in when I became too busy to participate on multiple forums.

aquanut

· #9 · Jul 11, 2008

the inflorescence looks like it belongs in Lamiaceae to me as well.

actually, looks like it might really closely related to Plecanthrus.

or not..

http://www.botany.com/hemigraphis.html

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 12, 2008

Thank you Hoppy. I can't do it all myself though. AaronT, HeyPK, Carlos, madmax and a couple other people have really been instrumental in making it the resource it is. I'm sure they appreciate the good feedback as much as I do.

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 12, 2008

aquanut said:
the inflorescence looks like it belongs in Lamiaceae to me as well.

actually, looks like it might really closely related to Plecanthrus.

or not..

http://www.botany.com/hemigraphis.html

I think it MAY be a Hyptis species. That genus has a lot of wetland plants and some have inflorescences that look spot on with those of our mystery plant. That's only a possibility at this point. We'll see.

Tex Gal

· #12 · Jul 12, 2008

Did I see a shameless plug for one of the "plants" (pardon the pun) on the plant finder?...

[smilie=u:

davemonkey

· #13 · Jul 12, 2008

hoppycalif said:
Cavan, your efforts on the plant finder are invaluable to me. That is the best compilation of aquatic plants and their characteristics I have ever seen. PlantGeek may cover more plants, but the quality isn't anything close to that of the Plant Finder here. In fact the PlantFinder is the primary reason I chose this forum to remain in when I became too busy to participate on multiple forums.

PlantFinder was how I found this forum in the first place. It came up in a google search when I was thinking about trying planted tanks awhile back. Invaluable is right! :clap2:

I don't suppose there will be a hardcopy of it in the future to place on my bookshelf? (Has this already been done and I just missed it?) Of coarse, you could leave out the Genus "Pop" in the hardcopy...

-Dave

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 13, 2008

Thanks. A book version is certainly a possibility, but if it happens, it will be some time in the future and not any time soon. There is much, much more to do.

As for the 'pop' entry, it was a test entry to help iron out some problems I was having with the Plant Finder. The crowdgather folks have been really good at helping us fix stuff and it was only meant to be temporary. It was a bit humorous for a little while though...

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 26, 2009

:biggrin:

At last... I only saw one dried inflorescence on this Hyptis species the last time, but now I've got ten on a gigantic plant that has grown well above the water and has roots dominating my 40 breeder. It could easily be three feet tall if it weren't pushing up against the light shield of my fixture. Next week I'll be removing it, chopping it up, preserving it and sending it away for ID confirmation.

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Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 26, 2009

I'd like to point out that the inflorescence in the original post was dried out and did not have any flowers (or even bracts) left. In addition, the entire capitula (this form of inflorescence) grows as more flowers open.

ashappard

· #17 · Apr 27, 2009

cool looking flower! great work Cavan.

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 7, 2009

Hyptis lorentziana
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...details.php?id=150&category=genus&spec=Hyptis

At last! I'm very satisfied to finally be able to put a proper name to this one. Information on it is quite hard to find, so I sent the specimen I made overseas and just recently heard back. It turns out - and I believe it - that it grows over six and a half feet tall! There are even a few species in the genus to be found closer to home. Next summer perhaps.

Zapins

· #19 · Dec 8, 2009

Wow, that took ages to get the real name! Good work Cavan, this is a long fought for victory and well deserved!

Cavan Allen

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 8, 2009

Yep, it can really take a while sometimes. And some can be identified in a day if you have good material.

Here is a specimen (leaf shape is a bit distorted due to pressing):
http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/vrrc/max/JUNC-hypt-lore-bra-1946842.jpg

No more name changes for this one in the Plant Finder! I swear!

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

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