Lysimachia latifolia
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lysimachia latifolia, sometimes called Trientalis latifolia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae.[1][2][3][4] It is known as starflower,[3][4][5] chickweed-wintergreen,[5] or Pacific starflower.[6]
| Lysimachia latifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
| At Squak Mountain State Park | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Lysimachia |
| Species: | L. latifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Lysimachia latifolia (Hook.) Cholewa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
It is a low-growing, creeping perennial[5][7] reaching (5 to 30 cm (2.0 to 11.8 in)).[8] The roots are tuberous,[5][7] creeping rhizomes.[7] The stems are erect,[7] 10–20 cm (4–8 in) high.[5] It has 5 to 7 whorled, lanceolate, entire leaves distributed levelly in a single group.[7]
The white or pink flowers are borne in April or May.[5][7] The Calyx (the collective term for sepals) is 5- to 9-parted and persistent, and the corolla (the collective term for petals) is also 5- to 9-parted, rotate,[5][7] with a very short tube[7] and elliptic-lanceolate segments. Stamens occur in the same number as the corolla lobes (5–9)[5][7] and are positioned opposite to them.[5] 1-3 peduncles, 1-flowered, filiform, and ebracteate.[7] The ovary is one-celled. The style (gynoecium) is filiform.[5]
Habitat
Distribution
- Canada: Occurs in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon.[9]
- United States of America: Occurs throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon,[9] and northern[5] California.[9]
Etymology
The former genus name Trientalis is derived from the Latin triens ('a third'), and is an allusion to the height of the plant, which is one third of a foot, or 4 in (10 cm) high.[5][10] Latifolia is derived from the Latin words latus ('broad or wide') and folia ('leaves') and means approximately 'broad-leaved'.[10]
The alternative name "Indian potato" refers to a small subterranean swelling at the stem's base, which is not listed as being edible by modern sources.[11]