Erysimum nevadense
Erysimum nevadense is a perennial short-lived herb endemic to the Sierra Nevada of Spain, although there are some citations in the nearby Sierra de Gádor (Almería). This wallflower occurs between 1,700–2,700 m above sea level in subalpine scrublands and alpine meadows. This species belongs to the nevadense complex species, together with five more Iberian species (Erysimum mediohispanicum, Erysimum gomezcampoi, Erysimum ruscinonense, Erysimum rondae, Erysimum mexmuelleri).
Erysimum nevadense | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Brassicales |
Family: | Brassicaceae |
Genus: | Erysimum |
Species: | E. nevadense |
Binomial name | |
Erysimum nevadense | |
Life cycle and morphology
This species is polycarpic, reproducing more than once during its life. During reproduction, it produces many yellow flowers arranged in several flowering stalks. Plant are shorts, below 50 cm height in general.
Pollination biology
Flowers are visited by many species of insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Heteroptera. Most abundant flower visitors are Proformica longiseta (Formicidae), an ant species endemic to the Sierra Nevada and surrounding mountain ranges, Dasytes subaeneus (Melyridae), Malachius laticollis (Malachidae) and some species of beeflies belonging to the genus Bombylius and Parageron (Bombyliidae).
References
- Reuter, [Georges François] (1855). Catalogue des graines recueillies en 1855 et offertes en échange par le Jardin Botanique de Genève. Rambox & Schuchardt. p. 4.
External links
- evoflor a web page on Erysimum floral evolution
- Flora Ibérica
- Flora of Almería