''Palafoxia integrifolia'', commonly known as the coastalplain palafox and coastal plain palafox, is a species of
palafox native to the southeastern
United States.
Description
''Palafoxia integrifolia'' is a
herbaceous
Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials.
Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous"
The fourth edition of t ...
annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies. The length of growing seasons and period in which they take place vary according to geographical ...
with pinkish-white
disc flowers arranged in
inflorescences. It has glossy, alternating leaves which elongate on the lower portion of the stems and more linear at the top.
The stems of ''P. integrifolia'' are less woody than other species of palafox, making it prone to drooping.
Taxonomy and etymology
''Palafoxia integrifolia'' was described in 1842 by
Thomas Nuttall. The
generic name refers to
José de Palafox y Melci
José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ).
In French, the name ''José'', pronounced ...
,
while the
species name is derived from the Latin word ''integrifolius'', meaning "having entire leaves". ''Polypteris integrifolia'' is a valid synonym.
Distribution and habitat
''Palafoxia integrifolia'' is found in the states of Georgia and Florida, where it grows in sandy
uplands
Upland or Uplands may refer to:
Geography
*Hill, an area of higher land, generally
*Highland, an area of higher land divided into low and high points
*Upland and lowland, conditional descriptions of a plain based on elevation above sea level
*I ...
.
Ecology
Like other ''Palafoxia'' species, ''P. integrifolia'' is attractive to birds and insects, which aid in
pollination.
References
External links
USDA plant profileFlora of North America
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15580113
integrifolia
Endemic flora of the United States
Flora of Florida
Flora of Georgia (U.S. state)
Taxa named by Asa Gray
Taxa named by John Torrey
Flora without expected TNC conservation status