Isoplexis

Isoplexis canariensis

Isoplexis is a section of 4 species within the genus Digitalis. The species of section Isoplexis differ from other plants in the genus Digitalis in that their monosymmetric (sometimes called zygomorphic) flowers have a distinctive large upper lip rather than large lower lip and the species are endemic to the Canary Islands (the species D. canariensis, D. chalcantha, and D. isabelliana) and Madeira (D. sceptrum).

Two Isoplexis species were first described by Linnaeus in 1753 as part of the genus Digitalis, these were D. canariensis and D. sceptrum. Since then the section has undergone several changes, the addition of two more species and more importantly being moved to a separate genus, under the genus name of Isoplexis or sometimes Callianassa, back and forth many times (Lindley 1821, Loudon 1829, Bentham 1835, Webb 1845, Wetstein 1891, Himmelbaeur and Zwillinger 1927, Werner 1960-1966, Heywood 1972). The position of Isoplexis as a section within Digitalis was finally proven by Carvalho in 1999 using molecular data and published by Brauchler et al. in 2004. Isoplexis species grow in woody habitats: D.canariensis in humid woodland areas and rarely in dry woodland areas, D.isabelliana in Pinus canariensis woodland and open disturbed areas, D.sceptrum in the cloud zone community Clethro-Laurion (Sjogren 1972) near streams on steep slopes, and D.chalcantha in Canary Island laurel forest. The flowers of Isoplexis species are adapted for bird pollination. Bird pollinators may have become extinct from some of the Canary Islands and this may explain why Isoplexis species are rare and considered endangered species.

This text has been modified from Toomey, N (2004) Investigation of the phylogenetic utility of Cycloidea-like genes in various angiosperm lineages. PhD Thesis, The University of Reading, England.

References

• Brauchler, C., Meimberg, H., Heubl, G (2004) Molecular Phylogeny of the genera Digitalis. L and Isoplexis (Lindley) Loudon (Veronicaceae) based on ITS- and trnL-F sequences. Plant Systematics and Evolution 248(1-4) 111-128

• Bentham, G (1835). In: Edwards’s Botanical Register (Lindley, J.). Vol. 21 pp. [I], [9, ind.] ad 1770 [3]. 1 Jun 1835, London

• Carvalho, J. A. S. S (1999) Systematic studies of the genera Digitalis L. and Isoplexis (Lindl.) Loud. (Scrophulariaceae: Digitaleae) and conservation of Isoplexis species. PhD thesis, The University of Reading, England

• Heywood, V. H (1972) Flora Europaea: notolae systematicae ad floram Europaen spectantes no. 13. Scrophulariaceae: Digitalis L. Sect. Macranthae Heywood, sect nov. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 65 (4) 357

• Himmelbaeur, W., Zwillinger, E (1927) Biologische-chemische Formenkreise in der Gattung Digitalis L. Biologia Generalis 3 595-684

• Lindley, J (1821) Digitalium Monographia. H. H. Bohte, Londini, pg 27

• Linnaeus, C. V (1753) Species Plantarum. Vol II 561-1200. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Holmaniae.

• Loudon, J. C (1829) Encyclopaedia of Plants. 528 528-529

• Sjögren, E (1972) Local climatic conditions and zonation of vegetation on Madeira. Agrronomia Lusitana 36(2) 95-139

• Webb, P. B (1845) Histoire Naturelle des Isles Canaries 3 (2-3) 144

• Werner, K (1960) Zur nomenklatur und taxonomie von Digitalis L. Botanische Jahrbucher fur Systematic, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 79(2) 218-254

• Werner, K (1962) Die kultivieten Digitalis – Arten. Feddes Repertorium 70 167-182

• Werner, K (1964) Die verbreitung der Digitalis – Arten. Wiss. Z. Marin-Luther Univ. Halle-Wittenberg, Math. – Naturwiss. Reihe 13 453-486

• Werner, K (1965) Taxonomie und phylogenie der gattungen Isoplexis (Lindl.) Benth und Digitalis L. Feddes Repertorium 70 109-135

• Werner, K (1966) Die wuschformen der gattungen Isoplexis (Lindl.) Benth. und Digitalis L. Botanische Jahrbucher fur Systematic, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 85(1) 88-149

• Wettstein, V (1891) Scrophulariaceae. Rhinantoideae-Digitaleae. In: Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien IV 3b (Engler, A., Prantl, K. Eds.) pp.83-90 Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig