From the Lady Slipper Archives: The Fame-flowers of Kentucky

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In the following article from 2012, Longtime KNPS board member, David Taylor, discusses the genus Phemeranthus, the Fame-flowers. This article ran in Vol. 27, No. 1. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 40, 2025, can be found.

The Fame-flowers of Kentucky

by David Taylor, US Forest Service

Limestone fameflower in flower. Photo by David Taylor

Fame-flowers belong to the genus Phemeranthus, a small group of succulent herbs in the Purslane family (Portulacaceae). This family also contains spring beauty and the weedy introduced purslane. Although the genus Phemeranthus was proposed by Rafinesque in 1814, members of the genus were largely placed in the closely related genus Talinum (Kiger 2001). Even J.K. Small (1933, p. 493-494), infamous for segregate genera and families (to his credit, many now recognized) did not recognize Phemeranthus. Research in the 1980s through the early 2000s has supported the separation of Phemeranthus from Talinum on the basis of leaf shape, capsule dehiscence and structure, seed surface texture, and molecular data (Kiger 2003a, 2001).. In some treatments (e.g., Nyffeler et al. 2008) Phemeranthus is placed in the Montiaceae which includes Claytonia (spring beauty), Montia (minerslettuce), and Lewisia (pussytoes or lewisia) among others. Talinum is now considered to be largely an Old World genus (Nyffler et al. 2008, Kiger 2003b). Two species considered native are known from the U.S, one of which, T. paniculatum, is found in Jefferson County, Kentucky (USDA NRCS 2012).

The 25-30 species in the genus Phemeranthus are known as fame-flowers. This name is derived from the flowering habit of the genus. The showy flowers open more or less together for a few hours in the afternoon then close–a few hours of fame. The genus name means ‘ephemeral flower,’ alluding to the short time flowers are open during the day. They are found in North, Central and South America. Sixteen species are known in the U.S. (Kiger 2003a), most of which are distributed in the prairie and southwestern states. A recently described species, P. piedmontanus, piedmont fame-flower (Ware 2011), brings the number to seventeen. A few are found in the Pacific Northwest. Four species, P. calcaricus, P. mengesii, P. piedmontanus, and P. teretifolius are mostly southeastern species. One prairie species, P. parviflorus, has an outlying presence in Alabama (USDA NRCS 2012). Two species, P. calcaricus, limestone fame-flower, and P. teretifolius, quill fame-flower, are known from Kentucky (Jones 2005).

Limestone fameflower plant. Photo by David Taylor

Limestone fame-flower, restricted to Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, is positively known from only one location in Kentucky (Simpson County). Another location (Logan County) has been reported but has not been relocated (KSNPC 2011). It is considered endangered in Kentucky and only marginally secure range wide (fewer than 100 populations known). As the common and scientific names suggest, this species is a calciphile (calcium-loving) found on limestone glades. Ware and Pinion (1990) determined that this species is adapted to limestone and fairs poorly on acid sites. In this environment it grows in shallow soils that pass through wet and dry spells during the growing season. This like other fame-flowers is strongly dependent on seed production for maintaining a population. The plants can be long lived, but are subject to herbivory and trampling. Seeds provide assurance plants will occupy the site.

This species is 5 to 25 cm (2 – 10 in) tall. The stem is somewhat weak and fleshy. The alternate, more or less round leaves of the largest plants are about 5 cm (2 in) long and 6.5 mm (1/4 in) wide at the widest. The dark green leaves like the stems are fleshy. Leaves are usually tightly packed on the stems. The plant grows from a tuberous rhizome. Flowers are borne on 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 in) stems (peduncles) that overtop the leaves. The flowers are a rosy purple or fuchsia, with 5 petals and 25-45 yellow stamens. Each petal is about 1 cm (0.4 in ) long to make a flower about 2.5 cm (1 in) across. Only one or two flowers on a single peduncle bloom on a single day. The flowers open between 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm, depending on location (Ware 1993, Ware 1967) and close before sunset, lasting only one day. A single large plant may produce one hundred or so flowers over the course of the summer. The capsules are papery and thin. Each contains around 10-25 small grayish seeds. Portions of the stem some-times root creating new plants (Ware 1969).

Limestone fame-flower flowers beginning in May and continues into September. It is an excellent pollen plant and is visited by many species of bees. Some native plant nurseries sell this plant, which does well in a garden if given well-drained soil. Please do not collect this plant from the wild. It is endangered in Kentucky and rare throughout its range, with many of the populations threatened by urban expansion and grazing. Its habitat is also fragile, the plants grow slowly from seed, and the plants are easily damaged.

Quill fame-flower in habitat on a sandstone out-crop. Photo by David Taylor

This species is 5 to 50 cm (2 – 20 in) tall. The stem is somewhat weak and fleshy. The alternate, more or less round leaves are 3 – 6 cm (1.2 – 2.4 in) long and 4 mm (1/6 in) wide at the widest. The dark green leaves like the stems are fleshy. Leaves are usually tightly packed on the stems. Flowers are borne on long stems (peduncles) that overtop the leaves. The flowers are a rosy purple or fuchsia, with 5 petals and 12-20 yellow stamens. Each petal is 5 – 7 mm (0.2 – 0.3 in ) long to make a flower about 19 mm (3/4 in) across. Only one or two flowers on a single penduncle bloom on a single day. Observations by the author in McCreary County in 2011 indicate the flowers open about 3 pm EDT and close before sunset but Ware (1993) reports an opening time of 12:00 CDT. Like those of limestone fame-flower, the flowers last only one day. A single large plant may produce one hundred or so flowers over the course of a season. The capsules are papery and thin. Each contains around 20-50 tiny black or brown seeds. Portions of the stem, and possibly leaves, sometimes root-creating new plants. Harshberber (1897) suggests the somewhat ball-like plants may roll when broken helping to spread asexual propagules.

Quill fame-flower plants–notice moss mat composed of mostly Hedwigia ciliata. Photo by David Taylor

Quillwort fame-flower is more widespread, occurring from Pennsylvania to Alabama and Georgia. It is known from several sites in McCreary and Pulaski Counties, but a recent survey suggests that many of those sites are gone or in serious trouble from habitat changes (Tara Littlefield, pers. com.). It is considered endangered in Kentucky but largely secure range wide. The common name and scientific name allude to the slightly angled, quill-like leaves. This species unlike limestone fame-flower is found on sandstone, granite or serpentine outcrops. Ware and Pinion (1990) determined that the species is adapted to sandstone and granite faring poorly on limestone sites. While stunted on serpentine, it does survive and remains healthy. It grows in areas of shallow dry soil that are seasonally wet. Such wet periods allow the germination of seeds. It frequently grows in mats of mosses such as Hedwigia ciliata which help to retain moisture after a rain. Nonetheless, for seedlings, the moss mats can be deadly if their roots do not penetrate to soil before drying (Ware 1967).

Quill fame-flower flower. Photo by David Taylor

Quill fame-flower flowers beginning in April and continues into October. It is an excellent pollen plant and is visited by many species of bees. Some native plant nurseries sell this plant, which does well in a garden if given well-drained soil. Please do not collect this plant from the wild. Not only is it a rare species in Kentucky, but its thick fleshy roots make transplanting difficult, the succulent plant is easily damaged, it grows slowly from seed, and its habitat is fragile.

Flowering in these two species and others investigated (P. mengesii, P. rugospermus) appears to be controlled by what is known as an endogenous circadian rhythm (Ware 1993). This can be called a daily internal clock. While the full mechanism is not known, and it does not follow the pattern of typical endogenous circadian rhythms, a similar rhythm is known from other members of the Portulacaeae (Ware 1993). This can be observed in the folding of purslane leaves at night and their unfolding in the morning.

Both of these species are derived from other species based on molecular and morphological data. Limestone fame-flower is related to P. calycinus, large-flowered fame-flower, which is a mid-western/southwestern species. It appears to have evolved from an autotetraploid (a doubling of chromosomes through failure of meiosis occurring within gametes of the same species fusing to create embryos) of large-flowered fame-flower (Murdy and Carter 2001, Kiger 2003a). Limestone fame-flower occurs east of large-flowered fame-flower except for an individual or two that might occur in one Arkansas site with the latter. It is morphologically similar to P. mengesii, but it occurs on limestone only while the latter is found on sandstone, and granite (Ware 1967).

Quill fame-flower is an allopolyploid (increased number of chromosomes through failure of meiosis occurring within gametes of different species fusing to create embryos) derived from P. parviflorus, sunbright, a midwestern species, and P. mengesii, Menge’s fame-flower, which is southeastern in its distribution (Murdy and Carter 2001, Kiger 2003a). Quill fame-flower out competes both species where they occur with it (Murdy and Carter 2011), and has a larger range in the southeast than sunbright, and a larger range than Menge’s fame-flower. Piedmont fame-flower may also have been derived from Menge’s fame-flower. This may in part be to the wide variation in sexual and asexual reproductive characteristics exhibited by Menge’s fame-flower (Carter and Murdy 1986).

References

Carter, M.E.B, and W.H. Murdy. 1986. Divergence for sexual and asexual reproductive characters in Talinummengesii (Portulacaceae). Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 113:259-267.

Harshberber, J.W. 1897. An ecological study of the genus Talinum with descriptions of two species. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 24:178-188.

Jones, R.L. 2005. Plant life of Kentucky: an illustrated guide to the vascular flora. University Press of Kentucky. Lexington, KY. 834 p.

Kiger, R.W. 2001. New combinations in Phemeranthus Rafinesque (Portulacaceae). Novon 11:319-321.

Kiger, R.W. 2003a. Phemeranthus. Pp. 488-495. In: Flora of North America. 2003. Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Vol. 4, Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1. Oxford University Press. New York, Oxford. 559 p. Available at http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=124954.

Kiger, R.W. 2003b. Talinum. Pp. 502-504. In: Flora of North America. 2003. Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Vol. 4, Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1. Oxford University Press. New York, Oxford. 559 p. Available at http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=132245.

Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. 2011. County report of endangered, threatened, and special concern plants, animals, and natural communities of Kentucky. Dated November 2011. Available at http://naturepreserves.ky.gov/pubs/publications/ksnpc_countylisthabitat.pdf. Accessed 9 February 2012.

Littlefield, Tara. Personal Communication. August 2011. Botanist, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

Nyffeler, R., U. Eggli, M. Ogburn, and E. Edwards. 2008. Variations on a theme: repeated evolution of succelent lifeforms in the Portulacineae (Caryophyllales). Haseltonia 14:26-36.

Murdy, W.H. and M.E.B. Carter. 2001. Speciation in Talinum in the Southeastern United States. Castanea 66:145-153.

Small, J.K. 1933. Manual of the Southeastern flora. University of North Carolina Press. Chapel Hill, NC. 1554 p.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2012. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data

Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Available at http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed 9 February 2012).

Ware, S. 1967. A new Talinum species (Portulaceae) from the cedar glades of Middle Tennessee. Rhodora 69:466-475.

Ware, S. 1969. Ecological role of Talinum (Portulacaceae) in cedar glade vegetation. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 96:163- 75.

Ware, S. 1993. Control of daily flowering time in Talinum (Portucaceae). J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 68:119-121.

Ware, S. 2011. A new Phemeranthus (Portulacaceae) from the Piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 5:1-7.

Ware, S. and G. Pinion. 1990. Substrate adaptation in rock outcrop plants: Eastern United States Talinum (Portulacaceae). Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 117:284-290.

From the Lady Slipper Archives: New England Aster: 2010 Wildflower of the Year

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In the early 2000s, Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort had an annual “Wildflower of the Year” competition. In the following article from 2010, Mary Carol Cooper discusses that year’s winner, the New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). This article ran in Vol. 25, No. 2. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 40, 2025, can be found.

New England Aster: 2010 Wildflower of the Year

By Mary Carol Cooper, Salato Center Native Plant Program Coordinator

New England Aster photo by Tom Barnes

The Wildflower of the Year is chosen based on the number of nominations it receives and this year more wildflower enthusiasts statewide voted than ever before! They chose New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) as the Salato Native Plant Program Wildflower of the Year for 2010. Aster comes from the Greek word for “star.” It describes the star-like form of the flower. Other familiar words using “aster” are astronomy, astrology and astronaut. According to Greek legend, the aster was created out of stardust when Virgo (the maiden Astraea, goddess of innocence and purity) looking down from heaven, wept. Asters were sacred to all the gods and goddesses and beautiful wreaths made from the blossoms were placed on temple altars on very important festive occasions. Known in France as “eye of Christ” and in Germany as starworts, asters were often burned to keep away evil spirits. A hodgepodge of asters was thought to cure the bite of a mad dog. Shakers used the plant to clear their complexions and ancient Greeks used it as an antidote for snakebites and to drive away snakes. Virgil believed that boiling aster leaves in wine and placing them close to a hive of bees would improve the honey. Native Americans found many uses for asters, from treating skin rashes and earaches to stomach pains and intestinal fevers. Nerve medicines and cures for insanity were made from some asters and others were eaten as food. Some were smoked in pipes as a charm to attract game, especially deer. Today there are no medical uses for asters.

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Genus SCROPHULARIA in Kentucky: Scrophularia marilandica (L.) and Scrophularia lanceolata (Pursh)

[Editor’s Note: This post was first published in the Lady Slipper in the fall of 2019]

By Chris Bidwell 

Kentucky has two native species in the genus Scrophularia of the Scrophulariaceae/Figwort family: Scrophularia marilandica (L.) – Eastern/Late Figwort and Scrophularia lanceolata – Early Figwort (Pursh). S. marilandica is infrequent and primarily in Kentucky’s east-central and western counties. S. lanceolata is to be expected as it had been reported in Carroll County in 1986 but no further collections have since been reported. S. lanceolata is found in six of the seven states bordering Kentucky – it is not documented in Tennessee. Both S. marilandica and lanceolata are similar in description, habitats, and usages. Close inspection of the flower’s stamens is necessary to accurately identify which Scrophularia one is examining. S. marilandica has a purple-brown sterile stamen which is longer than wide while S. lanceolata’s sterile stamen is greenish/yellow and is wider than long. Minor differences as blooming times of June-October for S. marilandica and May-July for S. lanceolata can overlap and make identifying difficult from a distance. S. lanceolata has coarser, serrated, narrower leaves and larger seed capsules. These minor differences can be subject to interpretation which makes close examining of sterile stamens mandatory to identify the species. One reason Early Figwort (S. lanceotata) is overlooked may be due to the need to closely inspect flowers – distances/terrains may discourage one from getting to the plant to inspect accurately.

Scrophularia marilandica – Late/Eastern Figwort
Scrophularia lanceolata – Early Figwort

Both Early Figwort and Eastern Figwort are herbaceous dicot, perennials ranging from 3-8 feet tall with furrowed green stems. The stems do change to a woody texture and color in late summer and persist through winter. Opposite, petioled, and serrated leaves up to 8 inches long and 3.5 inches wide are triangular to lance shaped. Panicled irregular flower clusters are oppositely attached at end of the stems. Flowers are cylindrical/urn shaped 1/3- to 1/2-inch-long with an opening 1/3 of the flower’s length. The floral formula is K(4-5)Co(5)A(5) and 6(2). Each flower has a green calyx with 5 blunt teeth. The corolla with 5 rounded lobes with normally a dull green exterior and a predominantly brown-purple interior depicts Scrophularia marilandica while a reddish-brown exterior and yellow-green interior exist in Scrophularia lanceolata. It is important to realize however that the corolla color may vary/overlap in shades/mixes of green, yellow, red, and brown. The corolla’s 2 upper lobes that function as a hood keep rain/moisture from entering and diluting the rich nectar. The 2 lateral lobes help form the opening and the lower lobe curves downward serving as an excellent landing space for pollinating insects. Five stamens are present: 4 fertile and 1 non-fertile/sterile stamen. Scrophularia marilandica has a reddish/purple/brown infertile stamen while Scrophularia lanceolata’s stamen is yellow/green. These infertile stamen’ s color is the solid key to identifying the respective species. The infertile stamen is appressed against the upper interior posterior corolla. The 4 fertile stamens which may be fused are at the bottom of the anterior corolla.

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From the Lady Slipper Archives: Aristolochiaceae: Insects, Humans and the Birthwort Family

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In this article from 2007, Amy McIntosh discusses members of the Birthwort Family, Aristolochiaceae . This article ran in Vol. 22, No. 2. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 40, 2025, can be found.


Aristolochiaceae: Insects, Humans and the Birthwort Family

by Amy McIntosh

Introduction

Members of the Birthwort Family, Aristolochiaceae, have a complex array of relationships with insects and humans. Interactions with pollinators, non-pollinating butterflies, and seed/fruit dispersers (along with the plants’ pollination mechanisms and the creation and use aromatic oils) provide insight into the family’s co-evolution with insects.

Human relationships with the birthwort family have a long history involving herbal and food use. Current interests in the family include collection of garden and greenhouse specimens, breeding of ornamental varieties and determining effectiveness of possible anticancer chemicals within some species. Human degradation of habitat in areas of endemic and otherwise limited populations has threatened 35 species at last count.

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From the Lady Slipper Archives: Sweet fern—A rare Kentucky shrub with an interesting history

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In this article from 2011, Tara Littlefield discusses the rare Kentucky shrub, sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina) . This article ran in Vol. 26, No. 1. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 40, 2025, can be found.

Sweet fern—A rare Kentucky shrub with an interesting history

By Tara Littlefield, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves

Comptonia peregrina, OKNP file photo

The wax myrtle or bayberry family (Myricaceae) is known for its odor. These plants have resinous dots on their leaves, making their leaves aromatic. Plants in this family have a wide distribution, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, missing only from Australasia. Myricaceae members are mostly shrubs to small trees and often grow in xeric or swampy acidic soils. More familiar members of the wax myrtle family include many in the Genus Myrica (sweet gale, wax myrtle), some of which are used as ornamentals and are economically important. In addition, the wax coating on the fruit of several species of Myrica, has been used traditionally to make candles.

So what does this interesting family have in common with Kentucky’s flora? We are lucky to have just one species in the wax myrtle family, Sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina). In addition, it is also a monotypic genus restricted to eastern North America. This means that the genus Comptonia has only one species (C. peregrina) worldwide, and just happens to be found here in KY! Of course the common name sweet fern is misleading. This woody shrub is certainly not a fern. However, the leaves have a similar shape to pinnules of a fern frond (leaf). But having sweet in the common name is no mistake. If you crush the leaves throughout the growing season, a lovely smell is emitted as the essential oils volatilize into the air.

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From the Lady Slipper Archives: The Pleasing Persimmon

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In this article from 2007, Maggie Whitson discusses the botany of the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). This article ran in Vol. 22, No. 1. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 40, 2025, can be found.

The Pleasing Persimmon

by Maggie Whitson

With large orange fruit dangling from bare branches like Halloween ornaments, the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana L.) puts on a striking late fall display along our fields and roadsides. The numerous sweet fruits were notable enough to find their way into the genus name, which means “fruit (-pyros) of the gods (dios).”

Drawing of American Persimmon, Britton and Brown

Persimmons are common in Kentucky and occur throughout the state. The species is found as far south as Florida and ranges up the Gulf Coast to Connecticut. It laps from the Southeast on to the Midwest and peters out around eastern Texas. Like many widespread plants, persimmons have a variety of common names, ranging from picturesque to puzzling. To list a few: dateplum, seeded-plum, winter-plum, simmon, lotus-tree, Jove’s fruit, and possum-wood.

Though the typical persimmon has a trunk ranging from about 6″ to 24″ in diameter, given optimum growing conditions and plenty of time, they can get much larger. Kentucky’s champion persimmon is located in Ballard County, and is 113.5 inches around, or about 36″ wide. The U.S. champion tree is in Portsmouth, Ohio, and is a whopping 142″ in circumference and 82 feet high.

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From the Lady Slipper Archives: Kentucky’s Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.)

The Lady Slipper newsletter, and now blog, of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. In this article from 2011, KNPS Board Member David Taylor, discusses one of Kentucky’s most widespread milkweed, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). This article ran in Vol. 26, No. 3. If you would like to see these and other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 39, 2024, can be found.

Kentucky’s Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.)

By David Taylor, US Forest Service

Whole plant with flowers

Common milkweed is a perennial forb that spreads by means of rhizomes and seed. It is one of about 115 species that occur in the Americas. Most species are tropical or arid land species. Plants may occur as a few individuals, but once established, form small to large colonies. Individual plants range from 1 to 2 m (~ 3 to 6 ft) tall. Leaves are elliptic to ovate to oblong and somewhat thick. Mature leaves are 15-20 cm (6-8 in) long and 5 to 9 cm (~ 2 to 3.6 in) wide, with a prominent midvein. The underside of the leaf is frequently finely pubescent. The stem is stout, usually simple, and green to black (see below) in color. When broken, the leaves, as well as stem and fruit, exude milky latex. Flowers are purplish to rosy pink to mostly white or even greenish and about 2 cm (0.75 in) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide. They occur in semi-spherical umbels (umbrella-like clusters) in the upper leaf axils. Flowers are somewhat complex in their structure, with structures not found in the average flower (see Cut Flower Exports of Africa – Asclepias). The flowers are strongly and sweetly scented. The fruits (pods), known as follicles, are formed from the union of multiple flowers. They are green, covered in soft spiky projections and are finely pubescent. When the seeds are mature, the follicle splits exposing the seeds. Each seed is equipped with a coma, a soft group of hairs. As the newly exposed seeds dry, the hairs of the coma expand allowing the seed to catch a ride on the wind. When broken, the leaves, as well as stem and fruit, exude milky latex.

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