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Plants widely rhizomatous
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Plants widely rhizomatous
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This is a rare Rarotongan endemic shrub, with related species in French Polynesia.
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This rare Rarotongan endemic shrub is related to species from French Polynesia and Hawaii
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Habitat: maritime sand dunes, occasionally in the rich of salt water spray, almost flat terrain, full sun, elevation 5 m (15 feet); average precipitations ~ 960 mm/year, average temperature about 18 deg C, Mediterranean phytogeographical region. Substratum: maritime sands. Comment: Centaurea pumilio is a very rare plant. For long time it was known only from two small islands in Ionian Sea, from far west Crete (Elafonisos island and Falassarna beach (see pict.7) for example) and from some beaches of northeast Africa and Syria. But 20 years ago about 500 plants were found also in southeast Italy. I found these rare and protected plants considered endemic to east Mediterranean region by pure chance. The plants are fascinating by its relatively large flowers of tender violet hues growing directly from plain sands. Interestingly, some of these plants can be more than 50 years old (Ref.:3). Because of their unusual habitus and habitat I had (apparently) no difficulties with its determination. However, there were some differences to descriptions in literature observed. According to Ref.2 leaves should be undivided and heart-shaped to oval (cordate-ovate) or lyre-shaped (lyrate) and according to Ref.1 they should be undivided to pinnatifid (cleft or lobed half the distance or more to the midrib, but not reaching it). The observed leaves seem to be more lanceolate to oblanceolate in overall shape and deeply pinnatifid with distinctly unequal lobes. Some lobes are further moderately lobed. Only some leaves show larger terminal lobe (a characteristics of lyrate leave shape). Also, Ref.1 states indistinctly toothed (dentate) edge of bracts. This doesn't seem to be the case on my pictures (see picture 2). I don't know how important these discrepancies are. But, because of the unusual overall habitus, which fits well to published pictures and the place where I found these plants I still believe the pictures show Centaurea pumilio in spite of the fact that there exists about 400 species of genus Centaurea and that they are mostly Mediterranean plants. Conservation status: on the IUCN Red Data List in the category of threatened plants. Protection status: threatened species; Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981; also on The Red list of Italy. Ref.: (1) I. Schnfelder, P. Schnfelder, Kosmos Atlas Mittelmeer- und Kanarenflora, Kosmos, (2002), p 238. (2) www.cretanflora.com. (3) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267392724_Persistence_of_Centaurea_pumilio_L_a_rare_sand_dune_species (4) https://www.google.si/search?q=centaurea+pumilium&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gws_rd=cr&ei=w7M9V8r5KYTyaNb8kvAF#q=centaurea+pumilio&start=20
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PICTURE OF HABITAT: maritime sand dunes, occasionally in the rich of salt water spray, almost flat terrain, full sun, elevation 5 m (15 feet); average precipitations ~ 960 mm/year, average temperature about 18 deg C, Mediterranean phytogeographical region. Substratum: maritime sands. Comment: Centaurea pumilio is a very rare plant. For long time it was known only from two small islands in Ionian Sea, from far west Crete (Elafonisos island and Falassarna beach (see pict.7) for example) and from some beaches of northeast Africa and Syria. But 20 years ago about 500 plants were found also in southeast Italy. I found these rare and protected plants considered endemic to east Mediterranean region by pure chance. The plants are fascinating by its relatively large flowers of tender violet hues growing directly from plain sands. Interestingly, some of these plants can be more than 50 years old (Ref.:3). Because of their unusual habitus and habitat I had (apparently) no difficulties with its determination. However, there were some differences to descriptions in literature observed. According to Ref.2 leaves should be undivided and heart-shaped to oval (cordate-ovate) or lyre-shaped (lyrate) and according to Ref.1 they should be undivided to pinnatifid (cleft or lobed half the distance or more to the midrib, but not reaching it). The observed leaves seem to be more lanceolate to oblanceolate in overall shape and deeply pinnatifid with distinctly unequal lobes. Some lobes are further moderately lobed. Only some leaves show larger terminal lobe (a characteristics of lyrate leave shape). Also, Ref.1 states indistinctly toothed (dentate) edge of bracts. This doesn't seem to be the case on my pictures (see picture 2). I don't know how important these discrepancies are. But, because of the unusual overall habitus, which fits well to published pictures and the place where I found these plants I still believe the pictures show Centaurea pumilio in spite of the fact that there exists about 400 species of genus Centaurea and that they are mostly Mediterranean plants. Conservation status: on the IUCN Red Data List in the category of threatened plants. Protection status: threatened species; Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981; also on The Red list of Italy. Ref.: (1) I. Schnfelder, P. Schnfelder, Kosmos Atlas Mittelmeer- und Kanarenflora, Kosmos, (2002), p 238. (2) www.cretanflora.com. (3) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267392724_Persistence_of_Centaurea_pumilio_L_a_rare_sand_dune_species (4) https://www.google.si/search?q=centaurea+pumilium&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gws_rd=cr&ei=w7M9V8r5KYTyaNb8kvAF#q=centaurea+pumilio&start=20
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this is an image made from specimen #1056 made by Steve Matson
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adjacent to grassland slope on mixed construction fill at margins of paved roadside pullout for new highway across the Sa. La Brena escarpment.
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Rare and endangered and endemic to the Big Island, Hawaii. Part of the Hakalau forest was previously altered for ranching and great efforts of reforestation in these sections have taken place since the refuge began in 1985. This plant is an important resource to the rare and native birds of the refuge and relies on these Hawaiian Honeycreepers for pollination.
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