Isotoma fluviatilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Campanulaceae
Genus: Isotoma
Species:
I. fluviatilis
Binomial name
Isotoma fluviatilis
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]
  • Laurentia fluviatilis (R.Br.) E.Wimm
  • Lobelia fluviatilis R.Br.
  • Rapuntium fluviatilis (R.Br.) C.Presl

Isotoma fluviatilis, the swamp isotome[2] or blue star creeper,[3] is a small herbaceous perennial plant in the family Campanulaceae, native to Australia.

Description

This plant often forms a low growing mat. It is usually pubescent or sometimes glabrous and roots at nodes. The deep green leaves are 4 to 12 millimetres (0.16 to 0.47 in) in length and 2 to 8 mm (0.079 to 0.315 in) wide. The leaf blade is oblong, elliptic or linear in shape, or the lower leaves may be ovate or obovate in shape.[4]

It forms white solitary flowers that are axillary and can be bisexual or unisexual. Capsules form later that are obconical to obovoid in shape and slightly asymmetric. They are usually 3 to 6 mm (0.118 to 0.236 in) in length with a 3 mm (0.118 in) diameter.[4]

The plant flowers during the summer months between November and March producing a carpet of white-blue five-petalled star-shaped flowers that are ideal as groundcovers in garden beds, rockeries or between paving stones.[3]

I. fluviatilis prefers dappled sunlight or part shade and moist soil. It spreads via runners and is hardy in the US in zones 6-8.[1] In the UK, it is hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK, and is considered generally pest and disease free.[5]

Classification

The species was first formally described as Lobelia fluviatilis by the botanist Robert Brown in 1810 in the work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae and later reclassified in the genus Isotoma by George Bentham in 1864 in Flora Australiensis. Several synonyms exist for this species including; Laurentia fluviatilis, Enchysia gaudichaudii and Rapuntium fluviatile.[6]

There are three known subspecies:

  • Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis
  • Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. borealis
  • Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. fluviatilis

Distribution

The species is often found growing in areas of moist sand or in mud along the margins of creeks and streams and seepage areas. It is also found among granite outcrops and wet depressions. It is found in south eastern Australia from southern parts of South Australia extending through much of Victoria, through much of Tasmania, eastern New South Wales and south eastern Queensland.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Isotoma fluviatilis (Laurentia) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  2. ↑ "Isotoma fluviatilis (R.Br.) F.Muell. ex Benth". Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Garden Victoria. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Isotoma fluviatilis". Perennials.com. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Isotoma fluviatilis (R.Br.) F.Muell". PlantNET. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Isotoma axillaris 'Blue Star' | blue star creeper 'Blue Star'/RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  6. ↑ "Isotoma fluviatilis (R.Br.) F.Muell. ex Benth". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
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