Pyxidanthera brevifolia

Pyxidanthera brevifolia, the littleleaf pixiemoss[3] or sandhills pyxie-moss, is a plant species known only from North Carolina and South Carolina. It occurs in deep, sandy soil such as sand hills and sandy ridgetops, sometimes in open pine-oak woodlands, at elevations of 50–200 m (160–660 ft).[4]

Pyxidanthera brevifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Diapensiaceae
Genus: Pyxidanthera
Species:
P. brevifolia
Binomial name
Pyxidanthera brevifolia
Wells
Synonyms[1][2]

Pyxidanthera barbulata var. brevifolia (Wells) H.E. Ahles

Pyxidanthera brevifolia is closely related to the more widespread P. barbulata, and some authors have suggested considering the two as a single species. For the moment, though, Flora of North America[4] and the Kew Gardens Plant List [5] both accept P. brevifolia as a distinct species. The two can be distinguished by the leaves. Leaves of P. brevifolia are shorter than those of P. barbulata, rarely more than 4 mm long. They also lack the marginal cilia characteristic of P. barbulata, and are more intensely woolly on the underside.[6]

References
  1. Tropicos
  2. Ahles, Harry E. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 80(2): 173. 1964.
  3. "Pyxidanthera brevifolia". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. Flora of North America v 8 p 337
  5. Kew Gardens Plant List
  6. Wells, Bertram Whittier. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 44(2): 238–239, pl. 9. 1929.
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