Day 271: Rare in Mount Rainier National Park, Comarum palustre is a denizen of boggy or swampy areas. Formerly grouped with the Potentillas (cinquefoils) and previously bearing the misleading appellation of "Marsh Cinquefoil," Purple Marshlocks has undergone changes in both its common and scientific names as research determined that it was a genus in its own right. While most modern field guides will have the correct taxonomy, the older and confusing common name persists. It bears a compound leaf comprised of 5-7 leaflets, toothed, and arranged somewhat palmately (like fingers on a hand). The similarity of the leaf to that of the cinquefoils ("cinque," five; "foil," leaf) was one of the factors which led to its original and inaccurate classification.
365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Comarum Palustre, Purple Marshlocks
Day 271: Rare in Mount Rainier National Park, Comarum palustre is a denizen of boggy or swampy areas. Formerly grouped with the Potentillas (cinquefoils) and previously bearing the misleading appellation of "Marsh Cinquefoil," Purple Marshlocks has undergone changes in both its common and scientific names as research determined that it was a genus in its own right. While most modern field guides will have the correct taxonomy, the older and confusing common name persists. It bears a compound leaf comprised of 5-7 leaflets, toothed, and arranged somewhat palmately (like fingers on a hand). The similarity of the leaf to that of the cinquefoils ("cinque," five; "foil," leaf) was one of the factors which led to its original and inaccurate classification.
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