Carnivrous Plants: Pinguicula moranensis

Pinguicula moranensis commonly known as Butterwort is a carnivorous plants which is native to Mexico and Guatemala. It succulent leaves are covered in pednucular (stalked) mucilaginous (sticky) glands which help it to attract and trap arthropods (invertebrate animals with exoskeletons) which it then digests with the sesile (flat) glands. The pednucular glands secrete a sticky substance which appears like droplets of water on the leaf. When an arthropod (mainly insects) touched the pednucular gland it releases more of the sticky substance and when the insect struggles to free itself it triggers other nearby glands to release more until it is encased in it.

Pinguicula moranensis in the Bristol University Botanical Gardens Greenhouses

The leaf can bend itself slightly through thigmotropism to bring more glands into contact with the prey. Once the prey is entrapped the sesile glands release digestive enzymes which to digest the prey breaking down the digestible parts of its body into liquids which are then reabsorbed by the leaf through cuticular holes leaving only the chitin exoskeleton behind.

The etymology of the genus name Pinguicula comes from the Latin pinguis which mean fat because of the buttery texture of the leaves while the specific name moranensis refers to its type location, Mina de Moran in the Sierra de Pachuca. This is where the three botanists Humbolt, Bonpland and Kunth collected specimens of the plant during an expedition in early 1800s. However, in 1999 a Mexican botanist S. Zamudio collected specimens in the same area and noted that the plants he had collected did not share the original description given by Humbolt, Bonpland and Kunt
Further investigation based on the travels of the earlier expedition led Zamudio to conclude that the plants collected by Humbolt, Bonpland and Kunt were most likely from an area called "El Puente de la Madre de Dios" in the Mexican state of Higaldo. He confirmed this by finding matching specimens of the plants in that area.
So it appears that due to some mix up these plants were misnamed. In the end Zamudio published his findings as a variation of  Pinguicula moranensis under the name Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica.


Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Pinguicula moranensis

Common names: Butterwort (English); grassette de Moran (French); fleischfressende Pflanze (German); Violeta de barranca (Spanish);

Taxonomic hierarchy: 

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae – Green plants

Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – Land plants

Division: Tracheophyta – Vascular plants

Subdivision: Spermatophytina – Spermatophytes (seed plants)

Infradivision: Angiospermae – Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida –

Superorder: Asteranae –

Order: Lamiales –

Family: Lentibulariaceae – bladderworts

Genus: Pinguicula – 

Species: Pinguicula moranensis –

Notes: 

• I am using the taxonomical classification system used by ITIS (Intergrated Taxonomic Information System). I have decided to use this system in order to avoid confusion as well as because it offers a comprehensive hierarchy from kingdom right through to subspecies whereas other sources only go as far as order or  provide the names of some of the higher taxonomical ranks but only indicate "unclassified" rather than providing the rank.
• When and where possible I will endeavour to include alternatives classifications although  I may limit this to occasions where an opportunity arises to discuss the reason for the different classifications.
• Taxonomical data used in this post was retrieved [June 15 2014], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

References:


On-line sources:

• Royal Horticultural Society: Entry for Pinguicula moranensis
• Official Website of the: Bristol University Botanical Gardens 
• World of Pinguicula: Entry for Pinguicula moranensis var. neovolcanica
• World of Pingicula: Pinguicula Distribution, Growth Habit by Dr. Laurent Legendre
• Missouri Botanical gardens: Entry for Pinguicula moranensis
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database: Entry for Pinguicula moranensis
• Seedaholic: Entry for Pinguicula moranensis
• Wikipedia: Entry for Pinguicula
• Wikipedia: Entry for Lentibulariaceae
• Wikipedia: Entry for  Lamiales
• Wikipedia: Entry for Anthropod

Additional resources:

•  Galleria Carnivora:
• Barry Rice: Carnivorous Plant Publications

Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters Blog by Vincent Albert Vermeulen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/

Senecio elegans

While on a recent visit to the Bristol University Botanical Gardens I came across these in the greenhouse. My closest guess was that they had to be from the family Asteraceae also known as the Aster Family. I'm not sure if I'm getting better at identifying plants or if members of this family are so obvious. Luckily they had a little sign which proved me correct once I'd gotten back and looked Senecio elegans up.

Senecio elegans at the Bristol University Botanical Gardens

Senecio elegans is native to southern Africa. They also exist in purple, red, and pink. Unfortunately the only ones I saw were all yellow. However, I am sure I have probably come across some of the other colours. I will keep my eyes open so I can get some photos and do a post showing them all for comparative purposes.

Senecio elegans at the Bristol University Botanical Gardens

Senecio elegans at the Bristol University Botanical Gardens

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Senecio elegans

Common names: wild cineraria, (English); name (French); name (German); name (Spanish);

Taxonomic hierarchy: 

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae – Green plants

Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – Land plants

Division: Tracheophyta – Vascular plants

Subdivision: Spermatophytina – Spermatophytes (seed plants)

Infradivision: Angiospermae – Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida –

Superorder: Asteranae –

Order: Asterales –

Family: Asteraceae –

Genus: Senecio – 

Species: Senecio elegans –

Notes: 

• I am using the taxonomical classification system used by ITIS (Intergrated Taxonomic Information System). I have decided to use this system in order to avoid confusion as well as because it offers a comprehensive hierarchy from kingdom right through to subspecies whereas other sources only go as far as order or  provide the names of some of the higher taxonomical ranks but only indicate "unclassified" rather than providing the rank.
• When and where possible I will endeavour to include alternatives classifications although  I may limit this to occasions where an opportunity arises to discuss the reason for the different classifications.
• Taxonomical data used in this post was retrieved [June 15 2014], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

References:


On-line sources:

http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Hollyleaved_Senecio.htm

http://www.exotic-plants.de/seeds/succulents/Senecio-elegans.php

• Royal Horticultural Society: Entry for Sencio elegans L.
• Official Website of the: Bristol University Botanical Gardens
• Missouri Botanical gardens: Entry for Sencio elegans L.
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database: Entry for  Sencio elegans L.
• Flora Database the Western Australian Flora: Entry for Sencio elegans L.
• PlantZAfrica.com: Entry for Sencio elegans L.
• Seedaholic: Entry for Sencio elegans L.
• Wikipedia: Entry for Asterids
• Wikipedia: Entry for Asterales
• Wikipedia: Entry for Asteraceae
• Wikipedia: Entry for Senecioneae
• Wikipedia: Entry for Senecio
• Wikipedia: Entry for Scenecio elegans

Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters Blog by Vincent Albert Vermeulen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/

Hibiscus trionum

While on another visit to the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens I stumbled across this beauty which at first glance reminded me of a hibiscus. Sure enough it proved to be another species: Hibiscus trionum.

Hibiscus trionum at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Hibiscus trionum at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Hibiscus trionum at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Hibiscus trionum

Common names: flower-of-the-hour, flower of the hour, bladder ketima, bladder weed, rose mallow, Venice mallow, shoofly, modesty,Black-eyed Susan (English); Ketmie d'Afrique, Fluer d'une heure (French); Stundenblaume, Einjähriger Stundeneibisch oder Stundenröslein, Stunden-Roseneibisch (German); flor-de-todos-as-horas (Spanish);

Taxonomic hierarchy: 

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae – Green plants

Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – Land plants

Division: Tracheophyta – Vascular plants

Subdivision: Spermatophytina – Spermatophytes (seed plants)

Infradivision: Angiospermae – Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida –

Superorder: Rosanae –

Order: Malvaeales –

Family: Malvaceae –mallows, mauves

Genus: Hibiscus – rose mallow

Species: Hibiscus trionum –

Notes: 

• I am using the taxonomical classification system used by ITIS (Intergrated Taxonomic Information System). I have decided to use this system in order to avoid confusion as well as because it offers a comprehensive hierarchy from kingdom right through to subspecies whereas other sources only go as far as order or  provide the names of some of the higher taxonomical ranks but only indicate "unclassified" rather than providing the rank.
• When and where possible I will endeavour to include alternatives classifications although  I may limit this to occasions where an opportunity arises to discuss the reason for the different classifications.
• Taxonomical data used in this post was retrieved [June 15 2014], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

References:


On-line sources:

• Royal Horticultural Society: Entry for Hibiscus trionum
• Official Website of the: Bristol University Botanical Gardens
• Missouri Botanical gardens: Entry for Hibiscus trionum
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database: Entry for Hibiscus trionum
• Seedaholic: Entry for Hibiscus trionum 'Simply Love'
• Wikipedia: Entry for Hibiscus trionum
• Wikipedia: Entry for Hibiscus
• Wikipedia: Entry for Malvaceae
• Wikipedia: Entry for Malvales

Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters Blog by Vincent Albert Vermeulen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/

Dwarf Water lily at Bristol University Botanical Gardens

I revisited the Bristol University Botanical Gardens in the hopes of getting a photo of the Datura that I forgot to photograph last time I was there. Unfortunately I could not find it but was informed that in any case the flowers had gone to seed.
On the other hand I did get to see these lovely Miniature Water lilies. I had some miniature ones in Australia when I was up in Townsville. I had them in my goldfish bowl. Those were minuscule compared to these.

Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'at the University of Bristol Botanical Gardens

Scientific Name: Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'

Common names: Minature Water lily, Hardy Water lily (English) ;

Taxonomic hierarchy: 

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae – Green plants

Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – Land plants

Division: Tracheophyta – Vascular plants

Subdivision: Spermatophytina – Spermatophytes (seed plants)

Infradivision: Angiospermae – Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida –

Superorder: Nymphaeanae –

Order: Nypmhaeales –

Family: Nymphaceae – Water lilies (English)

Genus: Nymphaea – 

Species: Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola' – Minature Water lily,Hardy Water lily (English);

Notes: 

• I am using the taxonomical classification system used by ITIS (Intergrated Taxonomic Information System). I have decided to use this system in order to avoid confusion as well as because it offers a comprehensive hierarchy from kingdom right through to subspecies whereas other sources only go as far as order or  provide the names of some of the higher taxonomical ranks but only indicate "unclassified" rather than providing the rank.
• When and where possible I will endeavour to include alternatives classifications although  I may limit this to occasions where an opportunity arises to discuss the reason for the different classifications.
• Taxonomical data used in this post was retrieved [June 15 2014], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

References:


On-line sources:

• Royal Horticultural Society: Entry for Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'
• Official Website of the: Bristol University Botanical Gardens
• Missouri Botanical gardens: Entry for Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database: Entry for Nymphaea
• Wikipedia: Entry for Water Lilies
• Wikipedia: Entry for Nymphaeaceae

Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters Blog by Vincent Albert Vermeulen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/

Lotuses at the Meise Botanical Gardens

One of the other water plants in the Victoria House of the Plant Palace of the Meise Botanical Gardens is the lotus.

Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera

I will be adding more details about the lotus in terms of symbolism, use and so on.

Genus Name: Nymphaea

Common names: Lotus, Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India (English) ; Lotus sacré,
Lotus d'Orient (French); Heilige lotus, Indische lotus (Dutch); Indische Lotosblume (German); fior di loto asiatico(Italian); (Spanish): loto sagrado, loto indio, rosa del Nilo (Spanish); lótus, flor-de-lótus, loto-índico e lótus-índico (Portuguese);

Taxonomic hierarchy: 

Kingdom: Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae – Green plants

Infrakingdom: Streptophyta – Land plants

Division: Tracheophyta – Vascular plants

Subdivision: Spermatophytina – Spermatophytes (seed plants)

Infradivision: Angiospermae – Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Class: Magnoliopsida –

Superorder: Proteanae –

Order: Proteales –

Family: Nelumbonaceae –

Genus: Nelumbo – 

Species: Nelumbo nucifera  –

Notes: 

• I am using the taxonomical classification system used by ITIS (Intergrated Taxonomic Information System). I have decided to use this system in order to avoid confusion as well as because it offers a comprehensive hierarchy from kingdom right through to subspecies whereas other sources only go as far as order or  provide the names of some of the higher taxonomical ranks but only indicate "unclassified" rather than providing the rank.
• When and where possible I will endeavour to include alternatives classifications although  I may limit this to occasions where an opportunity arises to discuss the reason for the different classifications.
• Taxonomical data used in this post was retrieved [September 9th 2014], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, http://www.itis.gov.

References:


On-line sources:

• Royal Horticultural Society: Entry for Nelumbo nucifera: Sacred Lotus
• Official Website of the: Meise Botanical Gardens
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database: Entry for Nelumbo nucifera
• Wikipedia: Entry for Nelumbo nucifera
• Wikipedia: Entry for Nelumbo
• Wikipedia: Entry for Lotus effect

Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters Blog by Vincent Albert Vermeulen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.be/.

My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/