Spenceria ramalana is the lone species in the plant genus Spenceria,[3] known by two varieties.[2] S. ramalana grows from 18–32 cm. tall, and puts out yellow flowers from July through August; bearing fruit (yellowish-brown achenes) from September to October.[2] The Chinese name, ma ti huang [马蹄黄],[2] can be translated to mean "yellow horseshoe".[4]
| Spenceria | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rosoideae |
| Tribe: | Sanguisorbeae |
| Subtribe: | Agrimoniinae |
| Genus: | Spenceria Trimen[1] |
| Species: | S. ramalana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spenceria ramalana Trimen [1]
| |
| Varieties[2] | |
Etymology
editHenry Trimen, both the genus, and binomial authority of Spenceria, and S. ramalana, respectively, gave an explanation of how he arrived at these names: the genus name was given in honour of Trimen's friend, and fellow botanist, Spencer Moore, who was employed at the Kew Herbarium. Trimen thought about choosing a name commemorating the collector of the species, one Captain Gill, R.E., but decided against it, as there already was a genus Gilia (Polemoniaceae), and he wished to avoid, in his words, "the formation of another of precisely similar sound."[5] As the species was collected from a mountain named Ra-Ma-La,[5] it is likely that the specific epithet "ramalana" was chosen as a toponym (the suffix "-ana" meaning "belonging to", hence "from Ra-Ma-La").
Distribution
editSpenceria ramalana is native to Bhutan and China (in the provinces of Sichuan, Xizang (Tibet), and Yunnan).[1]
Habitat
editSpenceria ramalana inhabits limestone soil on montane slopes and meadows (elev. 3000–5000 m.)[2]
Uses
editBoth varieties of S. ramalana have been used locally in traditional folk medicine.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c The genus Spenceria, and its type species Spenceria ramalana, were first described and published in Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. London 17: 97. 1879 "Spenceria ramalana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "Spenceria ramalana". Flora of China. 9. eFloras: 384. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ GRIN. "Species in GRIN for genus Spenceria". Taxonomy for Plants. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland: USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ "Spenceria ramalana at Flora of China, as translated through GoogleTranslate". Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ a b Henry Trimen; S. Le M. Moore, eds. (1879). "On Spenceria, A New Genus of Rosacaea, from Western China". Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. New series. VIII. London, 54, Hatton Garden: West, Newman & Co.: 97–99.
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