Hemianthus micranthemoides - for science
Hemianthus micranthemoides - for science
Hey, does anyone have a small piece of it? I'd like to flower it so we can see if it really is H. micranthemoides, which has not been found in its natural habitat since 1941. Just a bit. Thank you in advance.
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DonkeyFish
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DelawareJim
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I've got a bit already growing emersed and flowering I can bring. It flowers quite readily.
I believe it is, but have never made the microscopic inspection. Under a hand lens it looks the same. Since it used to be found along the Delaware river here in PA and in DE down to the C&O canal, I've contemplated reintroducing some into it's old habitat, but have been holding off until I could make a positive ID.
Another plant closely related is H. (Micranthemum) glomeratum which I've never seen. It's supposedly only located in Florida.
Cheers.
Jim
I believe it is, but have never made the microscopic inspection. Under a hand lens it looks the same. Since it used to be found along the Delaware river here in PA and in DE down to the C&O canal, I've contemplated reintroducing some into it's old habitat, but have been holding off until I could make a positive ID.
Another plant closely related is H. (Micranthemum) glomeratum which I've never seen. It's supposedly only located in Florida.
Cheers.
Jim
I talked to the botanist here today, and it is indeed H. micranthemoides. He wasn't aware that it survives in captivity. Thanks Jim!
I think it will be interesting to find out how long it's been cultivated and how it came to be cultivated. Certainly, it must have been quite rare a good while before it was last seen in its natural habitat. The real mystery is why it disappeared while other plants that shared its habitat continue to do just fine (or at least better). It doesn't seem all that sensitive in captivity! The current thinking is that it has something to do with water quality. But not one single clump of it out there somewhere? Wow. Ate least there aren't any we know about.
I think it will be interesting to find out how long it's been cultivated and how it came to be cultivated. Certainly, it must have been quite rare a good while before it was last seen in its natural habitat. The real mystery is why it disappeared while other plants that shared its habitat continue to do just fine (or at least better). It doesn't seem all that sensitive in captivity! The current thinking is that it has something to do with water quality. But not one single clump of it out there somewhere? Wow. Ate least there aren't any we know about.
