''Cassiope'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of 18 small
shrub
A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple ...
by
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
in the family
Ericaceae
The Ericaceae () are a Family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with about 4,250 known species spread acros ...
. It is the sole genus in the subfamily Cassiopoideae. They are
native to the Arctic and north
temperate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...
montane regions. The genus is named after
Cassiopeia of Greek mythology.
Description
''Cassiope'' has scale-like leaves lying against the stems, and produce solitary bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Though
hardy, flowers can be damaged by late frosts.
Taxonomy
Species
Plants of the World Online
Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online taxonomic database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
History
Following the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew launched Plants of the World Online i ...
(POWO) accepts 18 species.
[
*'' Cassiope abbreviata''
*'' Cassiope x anadyrensis''
*'' Cassiope x argyrotricha''
*'' Cassiope ericoides''
*'' Cassiope fastigiata''
*'' Cassiope fujianensis''
*'' Cassiope hypnoides''
*'' Cassiope lycopodioides''
*'' Cassiope membranifolia''
*'' Cassiope mertensiana''
*'' Cassiope myosuroides''
*'' Cassiope nana''
*'' Cassiope palpebrata''
*'' Cassiope pectinata''
*'' Cassiope redowskii''
*'' Cassiope selaginoides''
*'' Cassiope stelleriana''
*'' Cassiope tetragona''
*'' Cassiope wardii''
]
Uses
''Cassiope'' is cultivated in gardens, suitable sites being rock gardens, peat banks or glades in woodland areas.
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants Profile
Ericaceae
Ericaceae genera
Taxa described in 1834
Taxa named by David Don
{{Ericaceae-stub