Nolina brittoniana
Nolina brittoniana is a plant of the genus Nolina in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). An English common name is " Britton 's Bear Grass". The epithet of the species honors the botanist U.S. Nathaniel Lord Britton.
Description
Nolina brittoniana growing stemless, is rhizomatös and forms clumps of 0.8 to 1.5 m in diameter. The variable, grass-like, green to yellow leaves are 60-120 cm long and 6-14 mm wide. The leaf margins are toothed. The inflorescence is 0.5 to 1.5 m tall with multiple branches. The white to cream-colored flowers are 1.7 to 2.5 mm long and wide. The flowering period is in April.
The in maturity ovate to round, woody fruit capsules are 7-10 mm in diameter. Brown, spherical seeds are 3 to 5 mm in diameter. The seed maturation takes place in June.
Nolina brittoniana is hardy to minus 5 ° C. She is hardly known.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Nolina brittoniana is common in the U.S. state of Florida in a limited area at sea level endemic. It grows in forest regions on sandy soil associated with Yucca filamentosa, various Opuntia species and the Palmettopalme ( Sabal palmetto ).
The first description was in 1895 by George Valentine Nash. Nolina brittoniana is a member of the Section Nolina. It is extremely rare and grows in a limited area in Florida. Characteristic is the grass-like, long leaves, the similarities with the present in Georgia and South Carolina to the north Nolina georgiana are having. However, the leaves of Nolina brittoniana are shorter and wider. Both species are fire-resistant.
Nolina brittoniana severe threat from new settlements. She is listed in the Florida State list and in the list of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a rare and endangered species.
Pictures
In the fall