Kalmiopsis leachiana

Kalmiopsis leachiana

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Kalmiopsis
Species:
K. leachiana
Binomial name
Kalmiopsis leachiana
(Henderson) Rehd.

Kalmiopsis leachiana, commonly referred to as Siskiyou kalmiopsis,[1] is a rare flowering plant endemic to the Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon, where it is specially protected in the 179,755-acre (727.4 km2) Kalmiopsis Wilderness reserve. It was discovered in 1930 by Lilla Leach in the Gold Basin area.[2]

It is related to Kalmia in the family Ericaceae.

Description

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Kalmiopsis leachiana is an evergreen shrub growing to 10–30 centimetres (0.33–0.98 ft) tall, with erect stems bearing spirally arranged simple leaves 2–3 cm long and 1 cm broad.[citation needed]

The flowers are pink-purple, in racemes of 6–9 together, reminiscent of small Rhododendron flowers but flatter, with a star-like calyx and five conjoined petals; each flower is 1.5–2 cm diameter. The fruit is a five-lobed capsule, which splits to release the numerous small seeds.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b NatureServe (5 May 2023). "Kalmiopsis leachiana". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - Kalmiopsis Wilderness
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