- Pinguicula laxifolia
Taxobox
name = "Pinguicula laxifolia"
image_width = 250px
image_caption = In situ
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Lamiales
familia =Lentibulariaceae
genus = "Pinguicula "
species = "P. laxifolia"
binomial = "Pinguicula laxifolia"
binomial_authority = Luhrs, 1995
range_
range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = species distribution"Pinguicula laxifolia" is an insectivorous plant of the
genus "Pinguicula " native to the Mexican state ofTamaulipas , the only member of the section "Orchidioides". Its pendulous leaves are unusual in the genus, which features mostly species with stiff or succulent leaves.Morphology
"P. laxifolia" is a perennial rosetted herb bearing pendulous to semi-erect elliptic or oblanceolate 40–68 mm (1.5-3 in.) long leaves."Luhrs, H.; "New additions to the genus Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) of Mexico" Phytologia, 1995, vol. 79 (2), pages 114 - 122 ( [available in http://epbb.club.fr/Publications/P_stolonifera_P_laxifolia.pdf pdf] )] These are densely covered with stalked mucilagenous and sessile digestive glands, which serve to trap and digest
insect prey and absorb the resulting nutrient mixture to supplement their nitrate-low environment. During dryer winter conditions when food is scarce, "P. laxifolia" forms winter rosettes of short, non-carnivorous leaves to decrease the loss of energy used on carnivorous mechanisms, showing clearly the cost of carnivory.The flowers are pink to pale violet, with a white throat and darker violet markings. They are thought to appear from February through March.
Distribution and habitat
"P. laxifolia" is known only from its remote type location in the "El Cielo" cloudforest bioreserve in
Tamaulipas , Mexico. Here it grows on well-shaded vertical rock walls from 6300-6800 ft. in altitude. Although it appears to have an extremely restricted distribution, little is yet known about this species.Notes
External links
* [http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17049&sid=e7d2975a84090e8d095f3b349fdadb9d Photos and description of habitat]
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