Family: Boraginaceae
Author: (L.) L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1662 (1763)
Year: 1763
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ellisia
Vegetable: False
Observations: CS. Canada, C. & E. U.S.A. to Virginia
Description
Aunt Lucy is a modest yet intriguing member of the plant kingdom. Scientifically known as Ellisia nyctelea, this plant is a member of the Boraginaceae family. It carries the botanical authority of (L.) L., indicating its classification origins can be traced back to the pioneering work of Carl Linnaeus, who also solidified its placement in the plant hierarchy in his seminal work published in the second edition of “Species Plantarum” in 1763.
Geographically, Aunt Lucy is native to a range that spans across Canada, as well as the central and eastern regions of the United States, extending down to Virginia. This distribution suggests that the plant is well-adapted to a variety of temperate environmental conditions prevalent across these areas.
In its natural habitat, Aunt Lucy is often noted for its unassuming appearance. The plant typically showcases characteristics common to the Boraginaceae family, which might include hairy leaves and stems and clusters of small flowers. While not particularly flamboyant, it holds an understated charm and contributes to the biodiversity of its native ecosystems.
The presence of Aunt Lucy across such a broad swath of North America indicates its resilience and adaptability, characteristics that have likely aided its survival and proliferation. Whether encountered in wild fields, meadows, or forest edges, this plant is a subtle yet significant player in the ecological tapestry.
Through the lens of botanical history and classification, Aunt Lucy’s existence is a testament to the intricate and enduring relationships between plant species and their environments, highlighting the ongoing importance of botanical studies and the legacy of early plant taxonomy work.
Common Names
Eng: aunt lucy, false babyblueeyes, waterpod, ellisia, false baby-blue-eyes, nocturnal ellisia, nyctelea
Fra: ellisie nocturne, bois côtelet, bois à côtelettes
En: Aunt Lucy, FALSE BABYBLUEEYES, WATERPOD, Ellisia, False baby-blue-eyes, Nocturnal ellisia, Nyctelea
Fr: Ellisie nocturne, Bois côtelet, Bois à côtelettes
: Aunt lucy
Synonyms
- Macrocalyx nyctelea ((L.) Kuntze)
- Polemonium nyctelea ((L.) L.)
- Ellisia nyctelea var. coloradensis (Brand)
- Nyctelea nyctelea ((L.) Britton)
- Ellisia ambigua (Nutt.)
- Nyctelea ambigua ((Nutt.) Standl.)
- Nyctelea americana (Moldenke)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken May 25, 2019 by PT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Robert Breeding (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 29, 2020 by cAz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2020 by Amy Dix (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Dana Nickel (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 11, 2022 by Emma Davison (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2022 by Saul Thomas (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2020 by Amy Dix (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Gruenehexe Gruenehexe (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2022 by Will Billmeyer (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Robert Breeding (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928303)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1162869-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ellisia nyctelea (L.) L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
