Quill Fameflower (Phemeranthus teretifolius)

Phemeranthus teretifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Montiaceae
Genus:	Phemeranthus
Species:	P. teretifolius
Binomial name
Phemeranthus teretifolius (Pursh) Raf.

Phemeranthus teretifolius is a species of North American flora.^[1] Commonly known as the quill fameflower, this plant grows in rocky and sandy soil.^[1] The quill fameflower is classified as a dicot and a perennial, thus it has several reproductive seasons.^[2] Native to the southeastern United States, this plant is classified as an herb/succulent.^[3]

There is disagreement among botanists and researchers about which family this species belongs in. According to the US Department of Agriculture, this species is of the order Caryophyllidae and family Portulacaceae.^[2] However, according to other organizations and databases, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Maryland Biodiversity database, Phemeranthus teretifolius belongs to the family Montiaceae.^[4][5] Interestingly, the source of contention between the family of this species is unknown.

The Phemeranthus genus is a monophyletic group, comprising 25 species, which are categorized as succulent, herbaceous perennials found among rocky ecosystems and sand barrens.^[6] This genus is concentrated in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Phemeranthus, commonly known as fameflower, is an excellent example of a genus that vary significantly in geographic range, range size, and habitat.^[6] Phemeranthus also means ephemeral flower, which is a nod to its short life span.^[1]

Phemeranthus teretifolius grows 5 to 50 centimeters tall, with a weak stem and alternate leaves.^[1] The leaves are generally 3 to 6 centimeters long, and are tightly packed along the stem.^[1] The flowers of this species are purple and pink, and possess 5 petals each, with, on average, 12 to 20 yellow stamens.^[1] This plant is not self-incompatible, and can self-fertilize, thus it has cosexual flowers, with both staminate and pistillate structures.^[1] The flowers open only for one day, around 3pm EST and close before nightfall, and one single individual may produce more than one hundred flowers.^[1] The species begins flowering in April and continues through October, and is pollinated primarily by bees.^[1] Fascinatingly, this flower blooms for only a few hours a day, and if it is not fertilized by a bee within this window, it will close at night and self-fertilize.^[4] With a short life-span, this plant grows primarily in the open, in thin, very rocky or sandy soil, typically sandstone or granite.^[1]

The quill fameflower grows between 2 and 20 inches tall, with a weak and fleshy stem.^[1] The leaves grow tightly packed along the stem, in an alternate fashion, meaning that there are spaces along the stem between each leaf.^[1] The leaves are relatively round, and grow 1.2 to 2.4 inches long.^[1] Along the peduncle, the flower will grow and bloom, typically with 5 petals.^[1] The flowers are a bright pinkish purple color, often considered fuchsia or magenta.^[1] From each peduncle, only one or two flowers will bloom a day.^[1]

Frederick T. Pursh is credited with the discovery and naming of Phemeranthus teretifolius.^[7] Pursh was a botanist who was hired in 1807, by Meriwether Lewis, to examine, document, and catalogue the vast array of plant species that were brought back after the Expedition out west.^[7] In 1813, Pursh published his own book, entitled Flora Americae Septentrionalis, detailing many species of flora in North America.^[7] In past literature and botany records, this species was previously named Talinum teretifolium.^[1]

According to the NatureServe Explorer database, this species' global conservation status is secure, but in specific states in the United States, including North and South Carolina, this species is vulnerable.^[8] The species is widespread across North America, but with a restricted habitat, thus, it is not abundant in any one geographic region.^[8] Further, its habitat is frequently disturbed by human practices, specifically by land use conversion and habitat fragmentation.^[8]