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TriurisπΈ
Sciaphila secundiflora
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A mycoheterotrophic monocot lacking chlorophyll, living parasitically on fungi. The stem is slender, reddish-brown to white, appearing above ground only briefly. Found on humid forest floors of the Southwest Islands.
Identification Points
- βLacks chlorophyll; entire plant reddish-brown to white
- βStems slender, about 5β10 cm tall
- βFlowers small with star-shaped tepals
Habitat
Humid forest floors of the Southwest Islands
Season
SeptemberβNovember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
3 petals
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Phylogenetic Positionγγ³γ΄γ¦γ½γ¦η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Pandanales > Triuridaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Triuridaceae is a family of mycoheterotrophic monocots with complete loss of chlorophyll and highly advanced adaptation to mycoheterotrophy.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification