Monotropa uniflora L.

  • Authority

    Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Monotropaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Monotropa uniflora L.

  • Type

    Lectotype: Kalm s.n., (specimen 551.3 LINN accd. Reveal et al., 1987. Huntia 7: 228; n.v.). Hypopitys uniflora (Linnaeus) Crantz, Inst, rei herb. 2: 467. 1766

  • Synonyms

    Monotropa coccinea Zucc., Monotropa coccinea var. mexicana Zucc. & Lange, Monotropa uniflora var. nicaraguensis Lange, Monotropa uniflora var. variegata Andres, Monotropa australis Andres, Hypopitys uniflora Crantz, Monotropa uniflora subsp. coccinea Andres, Monotropa uniflora var. coccinea Domin, Monotropa australis Andres, Monotropa uniflora var. australis (Andres) Domin

  • Description

    Species Description - Inflorescence always with solitary flowers, white to reddish, 5-30 cm high (from root connection), 2-5 mm diam., glabrous; floral bracts elliptic to ovate 7-20 × 2-10 mm, margins entire or nearly so; pedicels short at anthesis, often somewhat elongated in fruit; floral bracts elliptic to ovate 7-20 × 2-10 mm, margins entire or nearly so. Flowers cylindric; calyx of 4-5 sepals often similar to petals, to 10 mm long; corolla of 3-6 imbricate petals, each 10-20 × 5-15 mm, pubescent within, oblong to oblanceolate, broadly saccate at base, rounded to truncate at apices, only slightly, if at all, reflexed at tip; stamens 8-14, of two series of alternating lengths, 7-15 mm long, bases clasped by elongate, slender, paired, nectariferous lobes; anthers short, appearing peltate, nearly horizontal at anthesis, to 2 mm diam., dehiscent at first by the ends of a terminal slit, often eventually gaping along the entire length; ovary 6-12 mm long, 5-9 mm diam., usually glabrous, locules 5-6; stigma broadly funnelform, 2-6 mm diam., lacking ring of subtending hairs; style stout, tapering to ovary, 2-7 × 2-5 mm. Capsule 7-11 × 5-12 mm, perianth may persist in fruit, capsular segments stout, persistent. Chromosomes: 2n = 48, n = 24 (Maloney & Finocchio, 1981); 2n = 32 (Love & Love, 1982).

  • Discussion

    Monotropa uniflora is characterized by its consistently solitary flowers. Like most of the other widespread taxa of the Monotropoideae, there are color variations, and red-flowered forms (M. coccinea) and a few lesser-known color variants continue to be noted.

  • Distribution

    Boreal and temperate forests of North America extending through eastern Asia in USSR, Japan, Korea, China, and westward in the Himalayas. The neotropical range is disjunct from the primary North American range (Wallace, 1975a), and includes Mexico to SW Colombia. In the Neotropics, it grows in moist forests of Pinus, Abies, and Quercus at elevations of 950-3400 m. Flowering specimens have been collected in Jun-Feb but are usually found Jun-Sep.

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