Trichostema dichotomum

Trichostema dichotomum, commonly known as forked bluecurls, is a flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae).[1] The plant is found in the Midwestern and Eastern United States, Eastern Canada, and the Bahamas.[2][3][4][5][6]

Forked bluecurls
Trichostema dichotomum blossom
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Trichostema
Species:
T. dichotomum
Binomial name
Trichostema dichotomum

Description

Trichostema dichotomum is an annual herbaceous forb with opposite, simple leaves, and square, erect, hairy stems. The leaves are covered in hairs and are lightly sticky.

The flowers are blue, borne in late summer,[7] and fragrant.[8] Each flower blooms only for half a day, opening in the morning and dropping its petals and stamens by the afternoon.[9]

Ecology

This plant germinates early in the summer and grows in sunny, moderately dry, sandy areas, including sandhills, open woodlands, glades, and disturbed areas.[10] It is an important nectar producer for bees, including Caupolicana electa and Dialictus placidensis.[11]

References
  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trichostema dichtomum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  2. USDA: Trichostema dichotomum distribution map
  3. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map
  5. Wunderlin, R. P. 1998. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida i–x, 1–806. University Press of Florida, Gainesville
  6. Gleason, H. A. & A.J. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada (ed. 2) i–910. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx
  7. Voss, E. G. 1996. Michigan Flora, Part III: Dicots (Pyrolaceae-Compositae). Cranbrook Inst. of Science, Ann Arbor.
  8. "Trichostema dichotomum". Florida Native Plant Society.
  9. "Know Your Natives- Forked Blue-curls". Arkansas Native Plant Society. 23 October 2015.
  10. "Know Your Natives- Forked Blue-curls". Arkansas Native Plant Society. 23 October 2015.
  11. "Trichostema dichotomum". Florida Native Plant Society.
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