Deeringothamnus rugelii
| Rugel's false pawpaw | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Magnoliales |
| Family: | Annonaceae |
| Genus: | Deeringothamnus |
| Species: | D. rugelii |
| Binomial name | |
|
Deeringothamnus rugelii (B.L.Rob.) Small |
|
Deeringothamnus rugelii is a rare species of flowering plant in the custard apple family known by the common names Rugel's pawpaw, Rugel's false pawpaw, and yellow squirrel banana. It is endemic to Volusia County, Florida, in the United States, where there are fewer than 5000 plants remaining in severely fragmented habitat. The main threat to this species is habitat destruction and degradation. It was federally listed as an endangered species in 1986.
Rugel's pawpaw is one of two species in the genus Deeringothamnus. It can be differentiated from Deeringothamnus pulchellus by the width, shape, and color of its petals. This species is a small shrub growing not more than half a meter tall from a taproot. The leathery leaf blades are somewhat oblong or lance-shaped and measure up to 7 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is a solitary flower nodding or held upright on a short peduncle. The lightly scented flowers have usually six fleshy yellow, cream, or purple petals that measure 2 or 3 centimeters long. The fragrance of the flowers has been described as "rubbery", and is caused by several compounds, including ethyl benzoate, trans-β-ocimene, limonene, and germacrene. The fruit is a large yellow-green berry that may be up to 6 centimeters long. One flower may yield several fruits. The berry contains a few seeds each about a centimeter long or slightly larger. This plant sometimes hybridizes with its relative, Asimina pygmaea.
...
Wikipedia