Dicerandra modesta explained

Dicerandra modesta is a species of Dicerandra endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, United States. It is commonly known as blushing scrub balm.^[1] It is a listed state and federal endangered species. It is known only from a few populations in Polk County, Florida.^[2] It grows in scrub and sand hills.

D. modesta grows up to 12inches tall. Leaves are oblong to oblanceolate with a minty fragrance. D. modesta was originally described as a subspecies of D. frutescens.^[2] It was suggested as a species in 2008^[3] based on molecular phylogenetic data indicating that it was more closely related to D. thinicola and D. immaculata var. immaculata than D. frutescens^[4] despite a disjunct distribution and morphological differences.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: Hammer, Roger L. . Central Florida Wildflowers: A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Lake Wales Ridge, Ocala National Forest, Disney Wilderness Preserve, and More than 60 State Parks and Preserves . Rowman & Littlefield . 2016 . 64. 9781493022168 .
2. Huck. Robin B.. 2001-01-01. Two New Infraspecific Taxa in Florida Dicerandra (Labiatae). 3393153. Novon. 11. 4. 417–420. 10.2307/3393153. Biodiversity Heritage Library. 17 April 2024.
3. Huck. Robin B.. DICERANDRA MODESTA (LAMIACEAE): RAISE IN RANK FOR A DISJUNCT PERENNIAL IN A NEW COASTAL CLADE IN FLORIDA. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. 2. 2. 2008. 1163-1164. 181696130. 17 April 2024. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
4. Oliveira. Luiz O.. Huck. Robin B.. Gitzendanner. Matthew A.. Judd. Walter S.. Soltis. Douglas E.. Soltis. Pamela S.. Molecular phylogeny, biogeography, and systematics of Dicerandra (Lamiaceae), a genus endemic to the southeastern United States. American Journal of Botany. 94. 6. 1017-1027. 10.3732/ajb.94.6.1017. free. 2007.