Campynema

Campynema is a genus in the family Campynemataceae first described in 1805.[1][3] It contains only one known species (monotypic), Campynema lineare, endemic to the island of Tasmania in Australia.[2][4] Its closest relative is Campynemanthe, endemic to New Caledonia,[5] sole other genus of the family.

Campynema
Campynema lineare Labill.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Campynemataceae
Genus: Campynema
Labill.[1]
Species:
C. lineare
Binomial name
Campynema lineare
Synonyms[2]

Campynema pygmaeum F.Muell. ex Benth.

Campynema lineare

C. lineare, also known as the green mountain lily,[6][7] is a small inconspicuous erect herb that grows to 15–30 cm in height. Its leaves consist of a single, curved basal leaf, with smaller leaves ascending up the flower stem.[7] It is most distinguishable by its striking green flower, which blooms in summer.[7] The flower is usually solitary, with 6 green tepals, sometimes with a burgundy tinge and developing brown edges with age,[7] lacking apparent nectaries.[8] The anthers are dorsifixed, styluli are free but thickened and contiguous below. The seeds are numerous and are flattened, sometimes almost discoid, with a spongy outer coat.[8] It is a geophyte,[9] and its leaves are deciduous in winter.

C. lineare is approximately 57 million years old.[10] It is considered to a key member of Tasmania's palaeoendemic flora.[10] A study of the gene sequences of RuBisCO in C. lineare, found that the familyCampynemataceae is the oldest of the order Liliales.[11]

C. lineare was once considered to be part of the family Liliaceae.[7]

  • Variation in flower coloration

Distribution

C. lineare can be found in boggy sites in the central, western and central mountains of Tasmania, mostly in the subalpine and alpine regions.[12] It is most commonly found in herbfields, heathlands, cushion plant communities, and lake edges.[13]

Threats and Conservation

C. lineare is not considered under any specific threats due to being situated predominantly in protected areas,[14] however some of the habitats in which it is found are predicted to decline due to climate change.[15] The most likely declines in Australian alpine ecosystems have been shown to be in alpine herbfield and cushion plant communities.[15] Due to its palaeoendemic status, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service consider C. lineare to be of high conservation significance.[14]

References
  1. Labillardière 1804, i p. 93.
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Tropicos, Campynema Labill.
  4. George, A.S. (ed.) (1987). Flora of Australia 45: 1-521. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
  5. Vinnersten, A.; Bremer, K. (2001). "Age and Biogegraphy of Major Clades in Lilliales". American Journal of Botany. 88 (9): 1695–1703. doi:10.2307/3558415. JSTOR 3558415. PMID 21669704.
  6. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. "Species Campynema Lineare". Natural Values Atlas Tasmania. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  7. Howells, Christine (2012). Tasmania's Natural Flora. Hobart, Tasmania: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc., Hobart Group. p. 391. ISBN 9780909830663.
  8. Kubitzki, K. (1998). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, III. Flowering Plants - Monocotyledons Lilianae (except Orchidaceae). Berlin: Springer. pp. 173–174. ISBN 9783662035337.
  9. Associate Professor Greg Jordan 2018, personal communication, 19 February.
  10. Jordan, Gregory J.; Harrison, Peter A.; Worth, James R.P.; Williamson, G.J.; Kirkpatrick, J.B. (2016). "Palaeoendemic plants provide evidence for persistence of open, well-watered vegetation since the Cretaceous". Global Ecology and Biogeography. 25 (2): 12–140. doi:10.1111/geb.12389 – via Wiley Online Library.
  11. Janssen, T; Bremer, Kåre (2015). "The age of major monocot groups inferred from 800+ rbcL sequences". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 146 (4): 385–398. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2004.00345.x.
  12. Jordan, Greg (2017). "Key to Tasmanian Vascular Plants". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  13. Smith, Andrew (2009). "Family Index: Campynema lineare". Understorey Network. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  14. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (2014). Melaleuca - Southwest National Park - Site and Rehabilitation Plan. Hobart: Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. p. 15. ISBN 9780992362829.
  15. Slatyer, Rachel. "Climate change impacts on Australia's alpine ecosystems". Australian National University Press. Retrieved 28 February 2018.

Bibliography
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