Lupinus ocalensis
| Lupinus ocalensis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lupinus ocalensis in flower | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Lupinus |
| Species: | L. ocalensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lupinus ocalensis E.L.Bridges & Orzell
| |
Lupinus ocalensis, commonly known as the Ocala lupine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to northwestern peninsular Florida in the southeastern United States, where it occurs in xeric sandy habitats.[1][2]
The species was described in 2024 as part of a taxonomic revision of the unifoliolate Lupinus species complex, which had previously been broadly treated under Lupinus diffusus.[3]
Description
[edit]Lupinus ocalensis is an annual or short-lived herb with a decumbent to mat-forming growth habit, forming low, spreading clumps across sandy substrates.[3]
The species is characterized by dense, short, appressed pubescence, allowing the green surface of the leaves to remain visible. Leaves are unifoliolate and borne on relatively long petioles, typically exceeding 5 cm in length.[3]
Leaf blades are ovate to elliptic and proportionally broader than those of some related species. Inflorescences bear typical lupine flowers with a banner petal that may display a contrasting eyespot. Fruits are legumes approximately 2–3 cm long and 6–8 mm wide.[3][1]
Taxonomy
[edit]Lupinus ocalensis was described by Edwin L. Bridges and Steven L. Orzell in 2024 during a revision of the unifoliolate Lupinus species of Florida.[3]
Prior to this revision, plants now recognized as L. ocalensis were included within a broadly defined Lupinus diffusus. The revision segregated multiple distinct species based on consistent differences in morphology, ecology, and geographic distribution.[3]
The species belongs to a group of closely related taxa endemic to Florida, often referred to as the unifoliolate Lupinus species complex.
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Lupinus ocalensis is endemic to northwestern peninsular Florida, where it is restricted to the Brooksville Ridge and the Sumter Upland, including populations in Marion, Citrus, Sumter, and Hernando counties.[1]
It occurs in sandhills and scrub habitats, typically on well-drained, nutrient-poor sandy soils. These ecosystems are fire-maintained and support a specialized xeric flora.[1][3]
Phenology
[edit]Flowering occurs primarily from March to April.[1]
Comparison with related species
[edit]Lupinus ocalensis is a member of the unifoliolate Lupinus species complex of peninsular Florida, a group of closely related taxa formerly treated under a broad concept of Lupinus diffusus but segregated based on consistent differences in morphology, habit, and ecology.[3]
Species within this complex are distinguished primarily by growth habit (erect vs. decumbent), pubescence type (appressed vs. villous), leaf proportions, petiole length, and legume size.[3]
Lupinus ocalensis is characterized by a decumbent to mat-forming habit, relatively long petioles (typically exceeding 5 cm), and dense, short, appressed pubescence that allows the green leaf surface to remain visible.[3][1]
It differs from related species as follows:
- Lupinus pilosior — with dense, long, spreading villous pubescence that obscures the leaf surface; petioles shorter (typically 3–4 cm); legumes larger (approximately 3.5–4.5 cm long).[3]
- Lupinus diffusus (sensu stricto) — forming smaller plants with longer petioles (6–8 cm) and narrower leaves.[3]
- Lupinus cumulicola — an erect species with densely silky, appressed pubescence that obscures the leaf surface.[3]
- Lupinus floridanus — erect plants with moderately appressed pubescence and proportionally longer leaves.[3]
- Lupinus westianus — a more robust, erect species with larger leaves and a darker banner eyespot, occurring primarily in southern Florida.[3]
- Lupinus villosus — generally larger plants with much longer leaves (often exceeding 10 cm) and a broader geographic distribution.[3]
Within the decumbent species, Lupinus ocalensis is most similar to L. pilosior, but differs consistently in its shorter, appressed pubescence, longer petioles, and smaller legumes.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Lupinus ocalensis". Flora of the Southeastern United States. University of North Carolina Herbarium. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ "Lupinus ocalensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Bridges, E.L.; Orzell, S.L. (2024). "Systematics of the unifoliolate Floridian Lupinus clade (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)". Phytoneuron. 2024–4: 1–61.