Geocarpon groenlandicum

Geocarpon groenlandicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Genus:	Arenaria
Species:	M. groenlandica
Binomial name
Minuartia groenlandica Spreng.

Übersicht

Greenland stitchwort² is a beautiful³ rare perennial⁴ which grows low to the ground in clumps linked together at the bottom⁴. It has three to five pairs of leaves in a linear opposite pattern along the length of the slender stem³. The main stem breaks into one to thirty cymes which each flower separately³. The flowers are white and exist five to ten centimeters off the thick foliage⁴. The white flower pedals are six to ten millimeters long⁴. There are five green sepals on each cymes⁵.

Reproduction

The plant has a peak flowering time of two weeks in the middle ofJuly⁵, although it does flower frequently anywhere between June to August⁶.

In this period pollen grains are transported from flower to flower by insects⁵. The most effective insect to transport pollen grains is the bumblebee (Bombus terricola)⁵. This is due to tiny hairs on the bee that collect pollen⁵, and the bee crawls over the flower in lower temperatures when it is unable to fly⁵.

Habitat

Greenland stitchwort is found in areas of high elevation where bedrock is exposed⁵. The plant grows on rocky ledges and in fine gravel on slopes⁴. The soil has been noted to have a pH of 3.1 to 4, and is low in nitrogen and phosphorus, but containing a high organic matter content⁵. The climate in these areas receive frequent fog and cloud cover with considerable precipitation⁵. One study area for this plant recorded an annual precipitation average at 1837.5 millimeters⁵, along with wind speeds averaging at 50km/h⁵. The mean annual temperature at this location on Mount Washington, NH was -3.0°C⁵. These conditions have a large influence on plant and animal life⁵.

Economic Value

Minuartia groenlandica was studied for use on roof tops for insulation and urban greening as an economic use, but was unable to sustain drought for long enough⁷.

Distribution

The plant exists in many isolated and elevated areas, such as large mountain plateaus⁴. It's residing includes NU, ON, PQ, NL, and NS for Canada⁸. And in the US it is found in ME, NH, VT, NY, WV,VA, TN, NC, and SC⁸. It also be found in Greenland, Denmark⁵. Within Nova Scotia this plant is found in Inverness County and along the south shore in only a few areas⁶.

Conservation

In Nova Scotia Greenland stitchwort is sensitive to interference by humans and natural events⁹. The conservation status in Nova Scotia is yellow⁹.

Notes and References

• 2. Integrated taxonomic information system - minuartia groenlandica. (2008). Retrieved November 2008, 2008, from http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/ (search for Minuartia groenlandica)

• 3. Riley, J.L. (1979). Some New and Interesting Vascular Plant Records from Northern Ontario Canada. Canadian Field Naturalists, 93(4), 355-362.

• 4. Rare plant fact sheet PDCAROGOEO(2004). No. PDCAROGOEO). Maine Department of Conservation: Main Department of Conservation Natural Areas Program. Retrieved from http://www.mainenaturalareas.org/docs/rare_plants/links/factsheets/minuartiagroenlandica.pdf

• 5. Levesque, C.M., Burger, J.F. (1982). Insects (Diptera, Hymenoptera) associated with Minuartia groenlandica (Caryophyllaceae) ON Mount Washington, New-Hampshire, USA, and their possible role as pollinators. Arctic and Alpine Research, 14(2), 117.

• 6. Roland, A. E., Zinck, M., Owen, E., & Nova Scotia Museum. (1998). Roland's flora of nova scotia (3rd ed.). Halifax, N.S.: Nimbus Pub. & Nova Scotia Museum.

• 7. Wolf, D., & Lundholm, J. T. (2008). Water uptake in green roof microcosms: Effects of plant species and water availability. Ecological Engineering, 33(2), 179.

• 8. Comprehensive report species - Minuartia groenlandica. (2008). Retrieved October 2008/15, 2008, from http://www.natureserve.org/ (with search for Minuartia groenlandica)

• 9. Rank and status of wildlife. (2007). Retrieved October/15, 2008, from http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/genstatus/ranks.asp (with search for Minuartia groenlandica)