Tuberous U.dichotoma- photos!!!

[gardenofeden]

I though folks may be interested in the "tubers" from the tuber-forming Utricularia dichotoma from Jamieson , Victoria. Thanks to Sean for the seeds.

You can see a couple of "strings" of tubers just starting to develop towards the bottom of this photo


and here is a string hanging down underneath the plant


and here is a close-up

[Sean Spence]

Here's what to expect should you be lucky enough to get the stubborn thing to flower.



www.melbournecp.cpuk.me.uk/images/ICPS1/Utricularia_dichotoma_pale mauve_Jamieson_131104.JPG[/img]

[BarryRice]

Extraordinary! Thanks for posting!

Barry

[turkeypig]

That is most bizarre. I've never heard of a tuberous utricularia! Maybe if you separate them, they may sprout like a drosera gemmae...? Anyways, it looks like a sausage links! ;D

[BarryRice]

Actually, as I'm sure several others will note, there are many tuberous Utricularia species. But this is particularly interesting as the structures are on a species not typically known for this activity.

So, is this type of U. dichotoma perennial?

[Deleted]

Off the top of my head I believe U. alpina, U. jamesoniana, and U. asplundii are also tuberous plants.....

For those of you who are reading this topic and aren't sure as to what tuberous, epiphytic, or orchid utrics are you can read more on them at the commonly refrenced website of sarracenia.com

More specifically here at this link www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq5656.html

[Sean Spence]

Apr 15, 2008 21:23:49 GMT BarryRice said:

So, is this type of U. dichotoma perennial?

This form is a perennial. It occurs in inland Victoria at the base of mountains of the alpine country. I've only found it at a single location at the base of a manmade dam in farmland and across the road following a seep from the dam that creates a small waterhole surrounded by native vegetation.

The plants emerge from dormancy in September (early spring) as the area is quite frigid in winter- snow is not uncommon and frost is frequent. They flower in December and have died back by January when the area is bone dry (days average over 30 deg C in summer). The growth period is only a few months of the year.

The small populations are broken into 2 groups. The group below the manmade dam, which runs alongside a road, comprises of colonies of almost pure deep purple (the 3rd image posted). Also present are small patches of a pale pink form with strange cup-shaped flowers.

The 2nd group occurs downhill on the other side of the road next to the waterhole. This area is only about 10 metres in length and 3 metres wide. In this area, a range of different flower colours exist mixed together. Colours range from pink, blue, white, lilac and deep purple.

Another interesting feature is the size of the leaves. They are at least twice the size (width) of any other form I've seen and light green.

[Sean Spence]

Thought I'd add some more photos.

Firstly, of the habitat of the deep purple form that grows beneath the roadside dam. You can see the damwall to the left. This spot is regularly mowed and you can see evidence in the middle of the shot where the tractor has left tyre marks. The Utricularia grow along the ruts.



Moving across the road and following the seep leads to this area. You can see the water running to the bottom right. The small waterhole is visible in front of the Eucalyptus tree. The plants grow between the waterhole and where the grass grows in the foreground.



Closer to the waterhole, you can make out a patch of flowering U. dichotoma, right in the centre of the shot.



A couple of shots of the waterhole from the righthand side. In the first shot you can see the alps in the background and the other a powerpole to the left (same pole as in the first shot) indicating the position of the road.





Finally a shot of a plant with emerging flowerscapes growing on one of the seeps heading down to the waterhole. The leaves are large compared to most other forms. A Drosera peltata var. peltata has snuck into the shot.

[BarryRice]

Hey Seanspence,

A marvelous set of photos, indeed. I am intrigued by the shape of the leaves; they are wider than normal, as you noted. Very interesting.

B

[DelawareJim]

Very nice, a beautiful plant. I especially like the deep purple specimen. Got to add this one to my wish list.

Cheers.
Jim

[gardenofeden]

Apr 15, 2008 21:23:49 GMT BarryRice said:

So, is this type of U. dichotoma perennial?

I keep this wet all year and it never dies down

[Brian Quinn]

Great shots Stephen. Amazing.

Hey Sean, as always, great pics. I love the almost pure deep purple form. The first two flower forms look quite similar to what we think of as U. dichotoma but the third flower form is quite flared. Do all three forms produce tubers is the wild and do they also produce these regularly in cultivation? It would be interesting to know whether the tubers are only formed if the plant experiences impending drought conditions or whether permanently moist plants continue to form the tubers - assuming of course that the tubers are a mechanism to survive summer drought.

Stephen do your plants grown moist all year produce tubers all year or only over summer?

I'll be making extra checks on the NZ forms especially those that receive a summer drought. Most of these that I can think of are from lowland populations, like the form from Lake Ohia. Though it would also be interesting to check the NZ alpine forms which receive similar temps to those you describe.

Considering the shape of the flowers, tuber forming nature and leaf morphology does this Utric warrant to be raised in rank to a distinct species or form?

Regards
Brian

[gardenofeden]

Apr 25, 2008 0:09:16 GMT Brian Quinn said:

Stephen do your plants grown moist all year produce tubers all year or only over summer?
Regards
Brian

Brian, I cannot answer that. This is a young plant grown from seed, about 2 years old now, and this is the first time I have unpotted it. It is now spring here, so perhaps the plant is producing in advance of a "normal" summer drought?

[gardenofeden]

now flowering for the first time

[Martin Hingst]

Beautiful picture, Stephen, of a beautiful flower
Maybe the most desirable form of U. dichotoma.

Regards

Martin