Pholisma sonorae: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:52, 15 February 2025

A parasitic plant native to the Sonoran Desert

Pholisma sonorae, commonly known as sandfood, is a unique parasitic plant native to the Sonoran Desert. It is a member of the family Boraginaceae and is notable for its unusual appearance and ecological role.

Description[edit]

Pholisma sonorae is a perennial herb that grows partially underground. The plant lacks chlorophyll and relies on its host plants for nutrients. It has a fleshy, subterranean stem that can extend up to 2 meters in length. The above-ground portion of the plant is typically a small, purplish or grayish flower head that emerges from the sand.

The flowers of Pholisma sonorae are tubular and can vary in color from pale lavender to deep purple. The plant blooms in the spring, usually after rainfall, and is pollinated by insects.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

Pholisma sonorae is found in sandy soils of the Sonoran Desert, which spans parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. It thrives in areas with loose, well-drained sand dunes and is often associated with host plants such as desert shrubs and cacti.

Ecology[edit]

As a parasitic plant, Pholisma sonorae attaches its roots to the roots of host plants to obtain water and nutrients. This relationship allows it to survive in the harsh desert environment where resources are scarce. The plant plays a role in the desert ecosystem by providing food for certain insects and possibly influencing the distribution of its host plants.

Conservation[edit]

While not currently listed as endangered, Pholisma sonorae faces threats from habitat destruction due to human activities such as off-road vehicle use and development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting its natural habitat and understanding its ecological interactions.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Pholisma sonorae''' is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Boraginaceae]]. It is commonly known as the [[Sand Food]] due to its unique growth habit and habitat. This plant is native to the [[Sonoran Desert]] in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
+{{Short description|A parasitic plant native to the Sonoran Desert}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Pholisma sonorae
+| image = Pholisma_sonorae.jpg
+| image_caption = Pholisma sonorae in its natural habitat
+| regnum = Plantae
+| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
+| unranked_classis = Eudicots
+| unranked_ordo = Asterids
+| ordo = Solanales
+| familia = Boraginaceae
+| genus = Pholisma
+| species = '''P. sonorae'''
+| binomial = ''Pholisma sonorae''
+}}
-== Description ==
+'''''Pholisma sonorae''''', commonly known as [[sandfood]], is a unique parasitic plant native to the [[Sonoran Desert]]. It is a member of the family [[Boraginaceae]] and is notable for its unusual appearance and ecological role.
-[[Pholisma sonorae]] is a perennial herb that grows as a subterranean plant. Its above-ground structures are reduced to a small, scale-like leaves and flowers. The plant is grayish in color and has a fleshy, succulent texture. The flowers are tubular, about 2 cm long, and are typically purple or blue in color.
-== Habitat and Distribution ==
+==Description==
-[[Pholisma sonorae]] is found in the [[Sonoran Desert]], specifically in the sandy soils of the [[Algodones Dunes]] in southeastern California and southwestern Arizona, as well as in parts of northwestern Mexico. It is a [[xerophyte]], adapted to survive in arid conditions.
+[[File:Pholisma_sonorae.jpg|thumb|right|''Pholisma sonorae'' in the Sonoran Desert]]
+''Pholisma sonorae'' is a perennial herb that grows partially underground. The plant lacks chlorophyll and relies on its host plants for nutrients. It has a fleshy, subterranean stem that can extend up to 2 meters in length. The above-ground portion of the plant is typically a small, purplish or grayish flower head that emerges from the sand.
-== Ecology ==
+The flowers of ''Pholisma sonorae'' are tubular and can vary in color from pale lavender to deep purple. The plant blooms in the spring, usually after rainfall, and is pollinated by insects.
-[[Pholisma sonorae]] is a [[parasitic plant]], deriving nutrients from the roots of other plants through a structure called a [[haustorium]]. Its hosts are typically desert shrubs such as [[creosote bush]] and [[bursage]].
-== Conservation Status ==
+==Habitat and Distribution==
-[[Pholisma sonorae]] is considered a species of concern due to habitat loss from off-road vehicle use in the [[Algodones Dunes]]. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and preserve this unique desert plant.
+''Pholisma sonorae'' is found in sandy soils of the [[Sonoran Desert]], which spans parts of [[Arizona]], [[California]], and [[Mexico]]. It thrives in areas with loose, well-drained sand dunes and is often associated with host plants such as [[desert shrubs]] and [[cacti]].
-== References ==
+==Ecology==
-<references />
+As a parasitic plant, ''Pholisma sonorae'' attaches its roots to the roots of host plants to obtain water and nutrients. This relationship allows it to survive in the harsh desert environment where resources are scarce. The plant plays a role in the desert ecosystem by providing food for certain insects and possibly influencing the distribution of its host plants.
-== See Also ==
+==Conservation==
+While not currently listed as endangered, ''Pholisma sonorae'' faces threats from habitat destruction due to human activities such as off-road vehicle use and development. Conservation efforts focus on protecting its natural habitat and understanding its ecological interactions.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Parasitic plant]]
+* [[Sonoran Desert]]
 * [[Boraginaceae]]
-* [[Sonoran Desert]]
-* [[Parasitic plant]]
-* [[Algodones Dunes]]
-[[Category:Flora of the Sonoran Deserts]]
 [[Category:Boraginaceae]]
-{{Flora-stub}}
+[[Category:Flora of the Sonoran Desert]]
+[[Category:Parasitic plants]]