Johnston's frankenia
Frankenia johnstonii
by Amy Roberts
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Photo courtesy Paul M. Montogomery
Johnston's frankenia is greyish or
bluish-green, low lying shrub up to 3dm tal . It has a woody tap root and
a woody caudex giving rise to many ascending stems. It has long shoot leaves
distinctly petiolate, and slightly winged. The leaf blades are oblanceolate,
4-10.5m long, rounded at the base, and the surfaces are grey-green. The
backside of the leaf contains greyish-white hairs that give the underside
a lighter appearance. Salt crystals are often visible and tasteable on
the back of the leaves.
Johnston's frankenia's flowers are
sessile and solitary. There are 5-6 spathulate petals that are 6-10mm long.
The flowers are white and may nave a pink tinge. There are 6-12 stamens
in 2 subequal whorls and the anthers are yellow. Every autumn, from November
to February, Johnston's frankenia turns crimson red. This allows for easy
detection from the other leafless south Texas shrubs.
Taxonomy
Ecology
& Distribution
History
References
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at aml9516@unix.tamu.edu.com
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