star flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• spring starflower
• spring star
• spring starflower.

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tristagma uniflorum f. album
• Tristagma uniflorum f. violaceum
• Ipheion uniflorum f. album
• Tristagma uniflorum f. pauciflorum
• Milla uniflora
• Beauverdia uniflora
• Milla conspicua
• Brodiaea uniflora
• Milla uniflora var. conspicua
• Triteleia uniflora
• Ipheion uniflorum f. conspicuum
• Tristagma peregrinans
• Ipheion uniflorum f. roseoplenum
• Tristagma uniflorum
• Ipheion uniflorum f. tenuitepalum
• Triteleia conspicua
• Ipheion uniflorum f. violaceum
• Leucocoryne uniflora
• Hookera uniflora
• Hookera uniflora f. violacea
• Brodiaea uniflora var. alba
• Brodiaea uniflora var. conspicua
• Brodiaea uniflora var. violacea
• Beauverdia uniflora f. alba
• Beauverdia uniflora f. roseoplena
• Beauverdia uniflora f. tenuitepala
• Tristagma uniflorum f. conspicuum
• Tristagma uniflorum f. tenuitepalum
• Tristagma uniflorum f. roseoplenum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Amaryllidaceae. Within this taxonomic hierarchy, it is specifically identified by the genus Ipheion.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found growing in Germany. Its distribution extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically within the country of France. Finally, the plant is located in Southeastern Europe, occupying territories in both Bulgaria and Italy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ipheion uniflorum is characterized by its adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients, thriving at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. This species is specifically found inhabiting the Campo Limpo habitat, where it integrates into the open, grassy landscapes typical of these environments.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo

Life history

The life history of Ipheion uniflorum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, indicating that its essential regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring long-term stability and continuity within its habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ipheion uniflorum is characterized by a small, non-woody growth form, specifically classified as a herb or forb. This plant typically maintains a modest stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.11 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 0.17 m. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its growth habit, lacking the climbing or vining structures found in lianas or facultative climbers.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.17 m

Plant height min:

0.11 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipheion uniflorum is characterized by a distinct foliar morphology that reflects its specialized growth patterns. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 14.5 cm to a maximum of 38 cm. This longitudinal extension is paired with a relatively narrow profile, as evidenced by leaf widths that fluctuate between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 0.5 cm. These slender, elongated leaf dimensions suggest a physiological adaptation for efficient light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

38 cm

Leaf length min:

14.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ipheion uniflorum involves both sexual and asexual processes. Its sexual reproductive cycle culminates in the production of a fruit classified as a capsule, which possesses a mean length of approximately 0.8 cm. This fruit is characterized by being dehiscence, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its seeds. Furthermore, the plant is capable of asexual reproduction, allowing it to propagate through non-seed-based methods.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Reproduction asexual :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ipheion uniflorum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ecdysterone.

Ecdysterone

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin