Arctomecon

Arctomecon

Taxobox



image_caption = "Arctomecon merriamii"
name = "Arctomecon"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ranunculales
familia = Papaveraceae
genus = "Arctomecon"
genus_authority = Torr. & Frém.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Arctomecon californica" "Arctomecon humilis" "Arctomecon merriamii"

"Arctomecon" is a genus of the poppy family Papaveraceae commonly called the bear poppies or bear-paw poppies, after the distinctive appearance of the leaves. The three species occur only in the eastern part of the Mojave Desert of North America, and are all uncommon.

The plants consist of one or a cluster of basal rosettes of leaves with a generally light blue or grey appearance. Closer examination shows the leaves to be generally wedge-shaped, with the end of each divided into several teeth, and entirely covered with long hairs 5-15 mm in length. The effect is that of a hairy bear paw, whence both common and scientific name ("arktos" bear + "mecon" poppy). The solitary terminal flowers are typical of poppies, with 2-3 sepals and 4-6 petals, either white or yellow, and starting out as nodding bud before become erect. The fruit capsule has 4-6 valves, opens from the top as it dries, releasing a handful of small wrinkled black seeds.

"Arctomecon" habitat is typically the harshest and driest soils of the Mojave, where few other plants survive. They especially seem to favor soils with a high gypsum content.

Species

"Arctomecon californica", also known as the "Las Vegas bear poppy", is the largest of the genus, with stems up to 2 feet high and bright yellow flowers up to 3 inches across. Its range centers around the hills east of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the Grand Canyon National Park, and in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area; it may occasionally be seen growing in vacant lots in the city.

"Arctomecon merriamii" is similar to "A. californica", but has white flowers. It occurs in the Mojave west and north of Las Vegas, as far as Death Valley.

"Arctomecon humilis" also has white flowers, but is much smaller and shorter, and only sparsely hirsute. It occurs only a small area near St. George, Utah.

References

* Christopher Grey-Wilson, "Poppies" (Portland: Timber Press, 2000) ISBN 0-88192-503-9 pp. 226-229


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Arctomecon — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda ? Arctomecon Clasificación científica …   Wikipedia Español

  • Arctomecon — humilis Systematik Klasse: Bedecktsamer (Magnoliopsida) Eudikotyled …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Arctomecon — A …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Arctomecon — ID 5445 Symbol Key ARCTO Common Name bearpoppy Family Papaveraceae Category Dicot Division Magnoliophyta US Nativity N/A US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution AZ, CA, NV, UT Growth Habit N/A …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Arctomecon merriami — Arctomecon merriamii …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Arctomecon californica — Systematik Eudikotyledonen Ordnung: Hahnenfuß …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Arctomecon humilis — Systematik Eudikotyledonen Ordnung: Hahnenfußartige (Ranuncul …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Arctomecon merriamii — Arctomecon merriamii …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Arctomecon merriamii — Taxobox name = Arctomecon merriamii regnum = Plantae divisio = Magnoliophyta classis = Magnoliopsida ordo = Ranunculales familia = Papaveraceae genus = Arctomecon species = A. merriamii binomial = Arctomecon merriamii binomial authority = Coville …   Wikipedia

  • Arctomecon humilis — Taxobox name = Arctomecon humilis regnum = Plantae divisio = Magnoliophyta classis = Magnoliopsida ordo = Ranunculales familia = Papaveraceae genus = Arctomecon species = A. humilis binomial = Arctomecon humilis binomial authority = Coville… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”