Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
Petrosavia
Petrosavia sakuraii
γ΅γ―γ©γ€γ½γ¦
A mycoheterotrophic monocot growing on dark mountain forest floors. Lacking chlorophyll, it obtains organic matter through fungi. Rarely found in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan.
Identification Points
- βLacks chlorophyll; entire plant pale white to light brown
- βScale-like leaves alternate on the stem
- βSmall flowers in a raceme at the upper portion
Habitat
Dark forest floors in mountainous areas
Season
MayβJuly (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Habitat
Mountain
Leaf type
Simple
Petal count
6 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Phylogenetic Positionγ΅γ―γ©γ€γ½γ¦η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Petrosaviales > Petrosaviaceae
Divergence Era
Cretaceous (early divergence within monocots, ca. 120 Ma onwards)
Evolution Notes
Petrosaviaceae is a small family positioned near the base of monocots; the transition to mycoheterotrophy occurred independently in this unique lineage.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification