Pinguicula lusitanica

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TAXONOMY:

Family : Lentibulariaceae

Genus : Pinguicula

Name : Pinguicula lusitanica

Sub-classification (Casper) : link

Publication : By  Carl Linnaeus in Spec.Pl.ed.1 :17 (1753)

DESCRIPTION :  (In Casper)

 

Perennis. Rhizoma simplex breve radicibus adventitiis filiformibus numerosis. Folia 5 - 12, radicalia rosulata circuitu oblongo-ovata subpetiolata integerrima margine valde involuta superne glanduloso-viscosa glandulis sessilibus dense et glandulis stipitatis singularibus vestita margine basin versus pilis subulatis secundum nervum medianum pilis obtecta (6) 10 -24 (29) mm lona 3 - 8 mm lata luteo-virentia venis purpureis. Hibernacula nulla. Pedicelli 1 - 8 teretes erecti glandulis stipitatis plus minusve dense obtecti (35) 60 - 150 (250) mm alti uniflori. Flores parvi(5) 7 - 9 (11) mm longi (calcari incluso) subnutantes. Calyx bilabiatus extus glandulis stipitatis modice dense vestitus; labium superum trilobum lobis usque ad 1/4 longitudinis connatis ovato-oblongis obtusiusculis multum divergentibus +/- 2 mm longis +/- 1 mm latis; labium inferum usque ad 1/3 longitudinis bilobum lobis multum divergentibus. Corolla subisoloba pallide lilacina vel carnea vel rubescens vel pallide lutea venis lilacinis extus glandulis stipitatis singularibus obtecta lobis subrotundato quadratis late emarginatis +/- 2 mm longis basin versus pilis longis basin versus pilis longis pluricellulate capitatis. Tubus cylindricus corollae lobos multo longior lutescens rubro-striatus intus pilosus cum palato et cymatio palati. Palatum semi-lentiforme parum emarginatum +/- 1 mm longum non exsertum pilis brevibus cellula terminali subglobosa; cymatio antico pilis pruniforme capitatis; utrimquesecus cymatii pilis similibus. Calcar basi conicum medio cylindraceum apice crassiore obtusum vel subrotundatum lutescens 1.5 - 4 mm longum corolla duplo brevius cum tubo angulum subrectum vel obtusum formans. Stamina 1.5mm longa; antherae reniformes; pollen (4) 5 - 6 colporatum. Ovarium subglobosum +/- 1.5 mm diametro glandulis stipitatis +/- dense obtectum. Stigma bilabiatum, labiis multo inaequalibus; labium inferum suborbiculatum infra papillatum. Capsula subglobosa calycem subaequans. Semina scobiformia numerosa subcylindrica 0.5 - 0.65 mm longa 0.2 - 0.26 mm lata alveolata.

 

Chromosomata 2 n = 12

 

Floret : IV - X

 

Translation :

 

- soon - 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY :

Pinguicula lusitanica is a species restricted to coastal areas from the Mediterranean coast of north-western Africa along the Atlantic coast of Spain and France to southern England, all coastall regions of Ireland and Scottland, reaching even the Orkney Islands.  A former site in the delta of the Rhone river is likely to be destroyed (J. Steiger in "Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) : The cool climate species of the northern hemisphere - Morphology, Biology, Cultivation" a text from the second conference of the International Carnivorous Plants Society, Bonn (Germany), May 30 - June 1st, 1998,).

It is a species with limited ecological tolerance, a fact that fits well with the low chromosome number of 2n = 12. If you want to read more on this theory, follow the link.

Localisation / Map: 

Distribution map of Pinguicula lusitanica according to S.J. Casper in his famous monography of genus Pinguicula.

 

 

(click on the map for better location)

HABITAT:  

Pinguicula lusitanica grows mainly in Sphagnum bogs, and can be submerged by few centimeter (or more) for few days, most of the time during rains season. It grow under sun in many places, only shaded by small grasses and show a very nice red teinted veins on its green leaves. 

SPECIAL PROTECTION STATUS :  

Please note that in France (and maybe in other countries), this species is under protection status in the following departments : 03, 15, 18, 27, 28, 36, 37, 41, 43, 44, 45, 49, 53, 63, 72, 76, 85.

Introduction in culture :

This species is found in various carnivorous plants nurseries or in seeds listings. It is very easy to find. 

CULTURE AND MULTIPLICATION : 

(North hemisphere, France near Paris, in a garden - see the map -)    

 

Life cycle : It is an homophyllus bi or triannual species than doesn't produce winter hibernacula but the winter leaves are smaller and sometimes only the heart of the plant stay green while all is brownish around. In summer, it produces new leaves and many flowers that self-pollinated and give many seeds. A seedling in march can give a sub-adult plant in automn with its first flowers.

 

Media : The plants grow in a mix of 1/2 peat and 1/2 non calcareous sand.

Pot : in a big plastic box outside and in a small peat bog among Sarracenia purpurea.

Cultivation :  The long term cultivation of temperate Pinguicula is difficult : If the summer growing conditions are not optimal, the plants will form very weak hibernacula which easily rot. 

Optimal summer growing conditions are : good air humidity, cool temperature and UV lights. This species is one of the easiest to grow as it accept a vast range of growing conditions. Its main enemies are snails and slugs that can eat almost all a colony in a night. 

 

Multiplication : By seeds produced with profusion each year. 

PICTURES: (click to enlarge)

A typical Sphagnum peat bog in South-West of France.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -	The area is a thin but very long Sphagnum peat bog.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -
After few minutes going down under hard sun. Here at last. But where are the Pinguicula lusitanica ? On the right of the picture, some cottongrasses : Eriophorum angustifolium.     Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -	It takes us 15 minutes to find the first cluster of Pinguicula lusitanica.  Far on the picture, you have Oliver Gluch in his favorite hobby : taking pictures of Pinguicula. This bog is also visited by cows.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -
Here is Pinguicula lusitanica hidden in the grasses. It is far from being easy to find !. Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -	Here is Pinguicula lusitanica hidden in the grasses. It is far from being easy to find !.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -
Here is Pinguicula lusitanica hidden in the grasses.  With a little experience, you will focuse first on the very small white flowers then search for the hidden rosette.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -	The flower of Pinguicula lusitanica, see the veinations of the flower.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -
Pinguicula lusitanica, cluster of rosette in another south-west location : from Hostens, Department 33, Gironde, France.   Photo : Lionel Dromard - October 25 th 2003 -	Pinguicula lusitanica, close-up of the rosette. From the same location : Hostens, Department 33, Gironde, France.   Photo : Lionel Dromard - October 25 th 2003 -
Pinguicula lusitanica, close-up of the rosette. Note the nice coloration of the leaves with red veins. Plant from Hostens, Department 33, Gironde, France.   Photo : Lionel Dromard - October 25 th 2003 -	Pinguicula lusitanica, close-up of the rosette. From the same location : Hostens, Department 33, Gironde, France.   Photo : Lionel Dromard - October 25 th 2003 -
CLose-up of the flower of Pinguicula lusitanica. The flower self-pollinate.   Photo : Eric Partrat - May/June 2003 -	Here is a picture of the flower of Pinguicula sharpii (Mexico), you can note similarities between the two flowers, isn't it ?. This is why the two species is also in the section isoloba. See more on the  Sub-classification of Pinguicula species.   Photo : Eric Partrat - November 2002 -
Close-up of the flower of Pinguicula lusitanica.   Photo : Erick Dronnet This image in its original context, on the page : http://erick.dronnet.free.fr/belles_fleurs_de_france/	My own small peat bog. On the right, the area devoted to Pinguicula lusitanica.   Photo : Eric Partrat - Summer 2001 -
Pinguicula lusitanica in culture. Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/	Pinguicula lusitanica in culture. Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/
The flower scape of Pinguicula lusitanica. Note the glandular density .   Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/	Pinguicula lusitanica in culture.   Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/
The delicate flower of Pinguicula lusitanica. Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/	The delicate flower of Pinguicula lusitanica. Photo : Markus Welge http://www.karnivoren.info.ms/
Pinguicula lusitanica in culture. Photo : Luc Buze	The delicate flower of Pinguicula lusitanica. Note the dewy glands covering the throat and the scape. Photo : Luc Buze