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Apiaceae
Harperella

not marked as a favorite taxon Harperella nodosa Rose. Common name: Harperella. Phenology: Jun-Aug. Habitat: Rocky or gravelly riverbeds, upland depression ponds, seepage on granite flatrocks. Distribution: Disjunct and fragmented in distribution: w. MD, e. WV, VA, and c. NC; SC and c. GA; N. AL; AR and e. OK.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: Three taxa are sometimes recognized, but recent studies (molecular and morphological) show insufficient reliable bases for separating them (Feist et al. 2012; Feist 2024). Earlier work is suggestive, and additional study is needed. The three taxa formerly recognized are H. vivipara (leaves 4-12 (-15) cm long; plants 1-5 (-8) dm tall, adventitiously perennial by proliferating from the nodes; rays 1-9 mm long, 2-5 (-9) per inflorescence; pedicels 0.5-2.0 (-2.5) mm long; umbellets with 2-8 flowers) of rocky or gravelly riverbeds in w. MD, e. WV, VA, and c. NC; H. fluviatilis (leaves 4-12 (-15) cm long; plants 1-5 (-8) dm tall, adventitiously perennial by proliferating from the nodes; rays 1-9 mm long, 2-5 (-9) per inflorescence; pedicels 0.5-2.0 (-2.5) mm long; umbellets with 6-15 flowers) of rocky or gravelly riverbeds in n. AL, AR, and e. OK; and H. nodosa (leaves 8-30 cm long; plants 4-10.5 dm tall, strictly annual, not proliferating from the nodes; rays 10-25 mm long, 6-15 per inflorescence; pedicels 3.0-6.0 mm long) of upland depression ponds in SC and seepage on granite outcrops in GA. See references for additional details and discussion.

Other Comments: Belden et al. (2004) provided details on the Virginia occurrence in Aquia Creek, Stafford County.

Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA13, K4, Ok; = Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias — C, Kral (1981a); > Harperella fluviatilis Rose — S, Rose (1911); > Harperella nodosa Rose — FNA, S, Rose (1911); > Harperella vivipara Rose — Va, Rose (1911); > Ptilimnium fluviatile (Rose) Mathias — GW2, RAB, WV, Easterly (1957); > Ptilimnium fluviatilis — MC, orthographic variant; > Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias — GW2, MC, RAB, Easterly (1957); > Ptilimnium viviparum (Rose) Mathias — F, G, MC. Basionym: Harperella nodosa Rose 1906

Links to other floras: = Harperella nodosa - FNA13

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image #1 of Harperella nodosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Harperella nodosa© Kyle Filicky | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Harperella nodosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Harperella nodosa© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Harperella nodosa© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Harperella nodosa© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect, semi-aquatic annual with quill-like leaves found in rocky river beds, upland depression ponds and seepages on granite flatrocks.

Stems: Stems slender, longitudinally ridged, branched, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, on petioles with a sheathing base, round in cross-section and tapering to a point, to 12 in. long but reduced upward.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in flat-topped, compound umbel at top of stem and from leaf axils; white; tiny; consisting of 5 petals that curve up and strongly inward, 5 stamens with dark pink anthers, and a 2-part ovary.

Fruits: Fruit oval, consisting of a joined pair of elliptic, ridged seeds.

Comments:

Height: 6-36 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect, semi-aquatic annual with quill-like leaves found in rocky river beds, upland depression ponds and seepages on granite flatrocks.

stems: Stems slender, longitudinally ridged, branched, smooth.

leaves: Leaves alternate, on petioles with a sheathing base, round in cross-section and tapering to a point, to 12 in. long but reduced upward.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in flat-topped, compound umbel at top of stem and from leaf axils; white; tiny; consisting of 5 petals that curve up and strongly inward, 5 stamens with dark pink anthers, and a 2-part ovary.

fruits: Fruit oval, consisting of a joined pair of elliptic, ridged seeds.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:



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