Lupinus ocalensis
| Lupinus ocalensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lupinus ocalensis in flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| 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
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
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
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
Flowering occurs primarily from March to April.[1]
Comparison with related species
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
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Bridges, E.L.; Orzell, S.L. (2024). "Systematics of the unifoliolate Floridian Lupinus clade (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae)". Phytoneuron. 2024–4: 1–61.