Linderniaceae

Linderniaceae is a segregate of the Scrophulariaceae family. Its separation is suggested by recent molecular phylogenetic research (APGIII 2009, Fischer & al. 2013). In Belgium it is only represented by the non-native genus Lindernia. The morphologically similar native genus Gratiola is now usually accommodated in Plantaginaceae but possibly belongs to a distinct family, Gratiolaceae (Rahmanzadeh & al. 2005). From the latter genus, a North American species, Gratiola neglecta Torr., is increasingly recorded in several European countries (Simon 1960, Suominen 1984, Raabe 2007, Šumberová & Duchácek 2009). It much looks like Lindernia but is a glandular pubescent perennial with slightly larger corollas (8-12 mm versus 5-8 mm) and unequal calyx lobes. Most of its recent records are from exposed fish ponds. As a result of the increasing transportation of living fish all over Europe, it might occur in Belgium as well (for instance in the numerous fish farms in the surroundings of Zonhoven).

Literature

APG III (2009) An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants. APG III. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 161(2): 105-121.

Fischer E., Schäferhoff B. & Müller K. (2013) The phylogeny of Linderniaceae – The new genus Linderniella, and new combinations within Bonnaya, Craterostigma, Lindernia, Micranthemum, Torenia and Vandellia. Willdenowia 43(2): 209-238. [available online at: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bgbm/will/2013/00000043/00000002/art00001]

Raabe U. (2007) Ein Vorkommen des Übersehenen Gnadenkrautes (Gratiola neglecta Torr.) in Brandenburg. Flor. Rundbr. 40: 111-112.

Rahmanzadeh R., Müller K., Fischer E., Bartels D. & Borsch T. (2005) The Linderniaceae and Gratiolaceae are further lineages distinct from the Scrophulariaceae (Lamiales). Pl. Biol. (Stuttgart) 7: 67-78.

Simon C. (1960) Gratiola neglecta Torr. im Oberelsass. Bauhinia 1: 184-188.

Šumberová K. & Duchácek M. (2009) Gratiola neglecta – nový zavlecený druh pro kvetenu Ceské republiky. Zprávy Ces. Bot. Spolec. 44: 151-175.

Suominen J. (1984) Gratiola neglecta (Scrophulariaceae), Mantsalanjoen rantakasvi. Memor. Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn. 60: 5-9.