Pityopus Explained

Pityopus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae containing the single species Pityopus californicus, which is known by the common name pinefoot.[1]

Distribution

The plant is native to the mountains of the West Coast of the United States below 1800m (5,900feet) in elevation, from Washington to the Bay Area in California.[1] It is uncommon throughout its range. It grows in coniferous and mixed forest types. Habitats include mixed evergreen forest, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, and coastal coniferous forest.[2]

Description

Pityopus californicus, a perennial herb, is a mycoheterotroph, parasitizing fungi for nutrients. It is cream or white in color, lacking chlorophyll.[1] It is the smallest mycotroph in the heath family.[3]

It produces a fleshy stemless peduncle above the leaf litter of the forest floor, reaching no more than 10 centimeters tall. It is covered with scale-like leaves, reduced as they do not perform photosynthesis.

The above ground portion of the plant is essentially just inflorescence, with 2 to 11 cylindrical white flowers blooming for a short time. The flower has four or five white petals and a hairy throat. The bloom period is May to July.[1]

It produces a berry under a centimeter wide containing many seeds. The mature plant has a scent reminiscent of Brie cheese, which may serve to attract pollinators.[4] After fruiting the plant withers away until the following flowering season.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=89089 Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Pityopus californicus
  2. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Pityopus+californicus Calflora: Pityopus californicus
  3. http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/interesting/mycotrophic/whatarethey.shtml Mycotrophic wildflowers: What are they?
  4. http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/interesting/mycotrophic/pityopus_californica.shtml Mycotrophic wildflowers: Pityopus californica