Diamorpha smallii Britton ex Small. Common name: Elf-orpine. Phenology: Apr-May; May-Jun. Habitat: In very thin soil (generally less than 2 cm deep) of vernally wet depressions on granite and sandstone flatrocks and other acidic outcrops. Distribution: Primarily limited to granitic flatrocks of the Piedmont, ranging from sc. VA to ec. AL, and on sandstone from se. TN south into c. AL.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: See Wilbur (1988a) for a thorough discussion of the muddled nomenclatural history of this remarkable species, as well as for a detailed summary of systematic and ecological information.
Other Comments: This species is both one of the most typical and one of the most interesting of the dozens of species endemic (or largely so) to granite flatrocks of the southeastern Piedmont.
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA8, GW2, K4, Tn, Va, Wilbur (1988a); = Diamorpha cymosa (Nutt.) Britton ex Small — Clausen (1975); = n/a — C, F; = Sedum smallii (Britton ex Small) H.E.Ahles — RAB, W; > Diamorpha cymosa (Nutt.) Britton ex Small — S, S13; > Diamorpha smallii Britton ex Small — S, S13. Basionym: Diamorpha smallii Britton ex Small 1905
Links to other floras: = Diamorpha smallii - FNA8
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Diamorpha smallii, Arabia Mountain, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, DeKalb County, Georgia 10 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Diamorpha smallii, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Dekalb County, Georgia 2 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Short, fleshy, erect to prostrate annual growing in very thin soil of periodically wet depressions on granite flatrocks and outcrops.
Stems: Stems branching, succulent, red (rarely green) and smooth.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, blunt-tipped, less than 1/4 in. long, succulent (round in cross-section), red and smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in branching clusters, white, about 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 4 spreading petals, 8 stamens with red anthers, and a white, 4-segmented pistil.
Fruits: Fruit a 4-celled capsule.
Comments:
Height: 3/4-4 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Short, fleshy, erect to prostrate annual growing in very thin soil of periodically wet depressions on granite flatrocks and outcrops.
stems: Stems branching, succulent, red (rarely green) and smooth.
leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, blunt-tipped, less than 1/4 in. long, succulent (round in cross-section), red and smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in branching clusters, white, about 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 4 spreading petals, 8 stamens with red anthers, and a white, 4-segmented pistil.
fruits: Fruit a 4-celled capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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