Diapensia lapponica : Lapland Diapensia

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
Angiospermae (enclosed seed)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Diapensiaceae (Diapensia Family)

Genera: Diapensia (Diapensia)

Species: lapponica (Of Lapland)

Synonym(s): D.obovata

English Name(s):

Lapland Diapensia,

First Nation Names:

Description:

Dwarf Shrubs

Natural History:

2 species occur in Canada.

Family Size:

World:

Genera: ?

Species: ?

North America:

Genera: 1

Species: 2

Yukon:

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Central Yukon:(CYSIP study area)

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Structure:

• Dwarf shrub forming hemispherical cushions.

Leaves:

• Obovate to oblong-ovate in shape.
• Evergreen, densly overlapping.
• Lustrous above, Pale beneath.
• Usually curved and margins more or less revolute (rolled down).

Reproductive Parts:

• Calyx (sepals) subtended by 3 bracts.
• Corolla (petals) united near base, 5-lobed, white to cream.
• Flowering stems 0.5-4.0 cm long and usually leafless.
• Flowers perfect (bisexual), and regular in symmetry.
• Flowers solitary at end of stem.
• Ovary superior (above flower base).
• Sepals yellowish-green, 4-7 mm long.
• Stamens 5 alternate with lobes.

Seed:

• Calyx (sepals) persistent (not falling off) and eveloping capsule.
• Fruit a dry capsule, 4-6 mm in diameter and ovoid in shape.
• Ovary 3 loculed (chambered).

Not to Be Confused With:

• Not to be confused with Phlox species. Phlox can be distinguished by its corolla (petal) tube below the corolla lobes.

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Leaves evergreen

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Acid rocks and gravels

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: