Polygala serpyllifolia
Quendelblättrige finial ( Polygala serpyllifolia )
The Quendelblättrige finial ( Polygala serpyllifolia ), also called Quendelblättriges Milkwort, is a species of the genus finials ( Polygala ) in the family of finials plants ( Polygalaceae ).
The genus was named Polygala, because it was assumed earlier that eating the cattle would lead to more milk production. So poly means a lot and gala also comes from the Greek and means milk.
Description
The Quendelblättrige finial is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the heights of growth of only 5 to 20 cm and has a mostly upright stems. Lower leaves are sometimes applied before heaped, but they do not form a rosette of leaves from. The lower stem leaves are opposite while the upper slightly larger stem leaves are alternate on the stem. This distinguishes this type from the larger ordinary finial. The shape of the leaves is lanceolate. The lateral flowering stems tower over the main stem.
The bracts are not hairy and not be longer than the pedicels. In dense racemose inflorescences are up to ten individual flowers. The flower buds not extend beyond the inflorescence tip. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic. Of the five sepals, the two large lateral petals are colored as cases almost the whole blossom. They are referred to as " wings." The large lower fringed petal is called boat. It is intended to serve as the insects approach space and simplify the pollination. The approximately 5 to 10 mm long petals are usually bright blue, rarely white. Within the flower on the top of the finial has a bivalve bag that encloses the eight stamens, four of which are grown together, and the carpels. Two intergrown carpels form the superior ovaries. Nectar is secreted by special glands only nectar at the base of the flower, so the finial can be pollinated only by relatively langrüssligen insects. The "wings" are 6-9 mm long and 3-5 mm wide and extend beyond the ovary only slightly. They are rounded at the front and have 6 to 20 mesh network. The boat has a small front zerschlitztes viellappiges appendage. The stylus is as long as the ovary and ends like a spoon. Because the stamens are arranged like a ring. The pointed scar is very small and sticky. It blooms in spring and early summer.
Are formed winged capsule fruits that are strongly flattened.
The species has the chromosome numbers 2n = 32 or 34
Ecology
The Quendelblättrige finial survived the winter in the protective herb layer ( Hemikryptophyt ).
Flowers are pollinated primarily by their mid-to langrüsslige insects such as bees and butterflies small. These have their trunks stuck through a small spoon-like formation of the style and the stamens to reach the nectar. When pulling out of the trunk of the pollen remains on the sticky scar now sticky trunk liable.
The germinating seeds are generally rare in light spread by the wind, by ants.
Occurrence and risk
The Quendelblättrige finial comes only in Europe and America at altitudes up to 1000 m in the Atlantic climate before. She prefers alternating dry meadows and silicate Magerrasen. It is a characteristic species of squarrosi Juncetum. The Quendelblättrige finial shows with their occurrence in moderately warm and humid maritime climate, acidic, nitrogen- poor soils.
The Quendelblättrige finial applicable in Germany as endangered. Reasons for this are the encroachment and afforestation of nutrient-poor grassland and fallow land, the task of heather use and intensive grazing of fresh and wet meadows. Except in Bavaria and Saarland is the way in all the provinces on the Red List. But within Central Europe the species is not endangered.
Sources and further information
The article is mainly based on the following documents:
- Werner Rothmaler: Excursion Flora of Germany. Vascular plants: Critical band. ISBN 3-8274-1496-2
- Ruprecht Duell, Herfried Kutzelnigg: Pocket Dictionary of Plants in Germany. A botanical and ecological excursion companion to the most important species. 6 completely revised edition. Quelle & Meyer, Wiebelsheim 2005, ISBN 3-494-01397-7.