FNA: Logfia gallica vs. Logfia

Phenology

Flowering and fruiting mid Mar–early Jul(–Aug).

Habitat

Mediterranean climates, open slopes, flats, diverse substrates (including serpentine), often ruderal or disturbed sites (especially chaparral burns)

Elevation

0–1100(–1400) m (0–3600(–4600) ft)

Distribution

CA; OR; South America; Eurasia; n Africa; Atlantic Islands; Pacific Islands; Australia [Introduced in North America; also introduced in Mexico (Baja California)]

[WildflowerSearch map]

[BONAP county map]

North America; n Mexico; Europe; Asia; n Africa; introduced in South America; Pacific Islands; probably elsewhere

[BONAP county map]

Discussion

Logfia gallica is introduced in South America, Atlantic Islands, Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Australia, and probably elsewhere.

Logfia gallica is readily recognized by its relatively long and stiff awl-shaped leaves. In the flora, L. gallica is relatively common in the Californian Floristic Province from southwestern Oregon to northwestern Baja California (including the Channel Islands). It is often so well integrated with indigenous vegetation as to appear native. The first known collection in the flora area was from Newcastle, California, around 1883. It had been collected throughout central California by 1935 and had occupied most of its present North American range by 1970.

In the flora area, Logfia gallica tends to grow larger than in its native range.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Species 12 (6 in the flora).

See discussion of Filagininae following the tribal description (p. 385).

Logfia occurs in dry open habitats of Mediterranean, semiarid, arid, and, sometimes, humid temperate climates. The three introduced species (L. arvensis, L. gallica, L. minima) do not appear to be aggressively invasive. Logfia filaginoides (formerly known as Filago californica) is somewhat weedy in the more mesic, coastal portions of its range, where it often mixes about equally with L. gallica. Some specimens of L. filaginoides, L. depressa, and L. minima may be difficult to identify without full comparison to descriptions.

Usually included in Filago in North America, Logfia (including Oglifa) has been separated for some decades in Old World treatments. Contrary to G. Wagenitz (1969), I agree with J. Holub (1976, 1998) that the two genera warrant separation. Priority of Logfia over Oglifa at generic rank is ambiguous, however, depending on whether Logfia was validated in 1819 or 1822 (J. D. Morefield 2004). Because uncertainty remains, I here preserve current usage of Logfia, pending a proposal to conserve the name.

Morphologic evidence suggests Logfia is basal in Filagininae, with ancestral, sister, and/or reticulate relationships to Filago and Stylocline (J. D. Morefield 1992). Logfia depressa appears to be transitional toward Stylocline. Ancestors of Logfia probably resembled Gnaphalium palustre Nuttall, which is frequently misidentified as a member of Filagininae. Logfia is most easily recognized by outer epappose florets subtended by saccate paleae, prominent pappi on inner pistillate and bisexual florets, and innermost paleae open, persistent, spreading.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key

1. Pistillate florets: inner (0–)1–2 pappose; branches usually leafless between proximal forks, becoming purplish to black, glabrescent (longest capitular leaves ± linear, 2–5 times head heights)	L. arizonica
1. Pistillate florets: inner (4–)8–35 pappose; branches ± leafy between proximal forks, remaining greenish to grayish or whitish, arachnoid-sericeous to lanuginose	→ 2
2. Pistillate paleae ± vertically ranked, outer inflexed 70–90° proximally, gibbous, ± galeate, bodies ± bony; leaves subulate or broader; phyllaries usually 5, equal	→ 3
2. Pistillate paleae spirally ranked, outer incurved 20–60°, somewhat gibbous, not galeate, bodies ± cartilaginous or chartaceous; leaves not subulate; phyllaries 0, vestigial, or 1–4, unequal	→ 4
3. Leaves narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate; longest capitular leaves 0.8–1.5 times head heights; innermost paleae ± 8, spreading in 2 series; bisexual corollas 1.6–2.1 mm; pappi mostly of 13–16 bristles falling in 1s or 2s	L. minima
3. Leaves mostly subulate; longest capitular leaves 2–5 times head heights; innermost paleae ± 5, spreading in 1 series; bisexual corollas 2.2–3 mm; pappi of 18–28+ bristles falling in complete or partial rings	L. gallica
4. Outer pistillate paleae: distal 5–10% of lengths glabrous abaxially, wings obscured by indument; outer 2–4(–6) pistillate florets epappose; innermost paleae ± 8, spread- ing in 2 series	L. arvensis
4. Outer pistillate paleae: distal 15–50% of lengths glabrous abaxially; wings prominent; outer 7–13 pistillate florets epappose; innermost paleae ± 5, spreading in 1 series	→ 5
5. Outer pistillate paleae: bodies ± cartilaginous; bisexual corolla lobes mostly 4, bright reddish to purplish; inner cypselae mostly papillate, pappi of 17–23+ bristles falling in complete or partial rings; stems typically ± erect; capitular leaves mostly acute	L. filaginoides
5. Outer pistillate paleae: bodies (except midnerves) chartaceous; bisexual corolla lobes mostly 5, yellowish to brownish; inner cypselae mostly smooth, pappi of 11–15 bristles falling in 1s or 2s; stems typically ± prostrate; capitular leaves obtuse	L. depressa