Any guess?

[Kevin Thiele]

Balanophoraceae is certainly possible, but it could also be an undescribed
species of tiril - the mention of the peculiar nature of the afternoon light
puts one in mind of the discovery of other species of this fascinating
genus. For more information, see the excellent book on the subject (Parallel
Botany by Leon Lionni).

-k

-----Original Message-----
From: Taxacom Discussion List [mailto:TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU] On Behalf
Of Steven L. Stephenson
Sent: Monday, 13 February 2006 7:06 AM
To: TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU
Subject: [TAXACOM] Any guess?

Last week, someone sent me the description given below.  I'm relatively new
to Arkansas, having moved here from the Southern Appalachians a couple of
years ago.  As a result, I'm not real familiar with the local flora as yet.
The description doesn't bring anything to mind.  Does anyone have a guess as
to what this might be?

   Steve

********************************************

Rare Ozark Plant Description

Perhaps you can help me to ID a plant I saw some years ago (~1980) in
Devil's Canyon near the Franklin-Crawford Co. line near Fern, AR.  The month
was September, and I do not recall the climactic conditions that particular
fall, although I do remember seeing a 4.5' water moccasin while climbing
into the canyon.  I returned to the canyon in 2003 to search for the plant
with no success.

The canyon drains southwestward, and the afternoon light reflecting from the
trees and bluff results in diffuse illumination within the canyon setting,
resulting in a unique ecologic environment.  My geology friend at UA said
his mother was a botanist, and she had stated the canyon was a 'Type Area'
for rare plants.

The plant was about 3" tall and was mushroom-like with a stem and cap.  The
cap, however, was not fungal and was deep, brilliant crimson red,
plastic-like in appearance, with about 16 radial columns (<1" in length and
0.25" in width) with slightly rounded pyramidal terminations.  The stem was
pink and appeared fibrous and was about 0.25" in diameter.  Two whitish-pink
leaves about 12-14" long and 0.5" wide were growing from the base of the
stem and lying along the ground.  The leaves appeared bleached with
irregular coloring.

I suspected the pyramids would soon open to expose spores or seeds, but that
was merely speculation.

********************************************

Dr. Steven L. Stephenson
Research Professor
SCEN 626
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Telephone: (479) 575-2869
FAX: (479) 575-4010