''Pyxidanthera'' is a genus of flowering plant in the family
Diapensiaceae
Diapensiaceae is a small family of flowering plants, which includes 15 species in 6 genera. The genera include '' Berneuxia'' Decne. (1 species), '' Diapensia'' L. (5 species), '' Galax'' Sims (1 species), '' Pyxidanthera'' Michx. (2 species), '' ...
. Though often recognized as two species, ''
Pyxidanthera barbulata'' and ''
Pyxidanthera brevifolia'', these designations are not genetically or morphologically distinct. Furthermore, these two designated species were found to not be reciprocally monophyletic.
[Rönblom, K. and A. A. Anderberg. (2002)]
Phylogeny of Diapensiaceae based on molecular data and morphology. ''Systematic Botany'' 27(2) 383-95.
/ref>
Despite these findings, some flora still recognize these two species based on their range, habitat, and leaf morphology (size and
pubescence).[ However, these leaf morphology differences are directly related to habitat and moisture. Despite the species designations being based on habitat and moisture, climatic niche differentiation is not found between the two species. Therefore, these species designations are strictly based on range, despite the overlapping range of the two species. The most widespread species, '' Pyxidanthera barbulata'', is native to the eastern United States, occurring on the coast from ]Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...
to New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
and Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
to South Carolina
South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...
.[''Pyxidanthera barbulata''.]
The Nature Conservancy.[''Pyxidanthera barbulata''.]
Center for Plant Conservation. A second species of ''Pyxidanthera''The Plant List
/ref> called '' Pyxidanthera brevifolia'', known only from North
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating Direction (geometry), direction or geography.
Etymology
T ...
and South Carolina
South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...
.[''Pyxidanthera brevifolia''.]
Flora of North America.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q9064979
Diapensiaceae
Ericales genera
Flora of the United States