Hairy fournwort (Tetramerium nervosum, G.Bentham, Bot. Voy. Sulphur: 148 (1846))

Family: Acanthaceae

Author: Nees

Bibliography: G.Bentham, Bot. Voy. Sulphur: 148 (1846)

Year: 1846

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tetramerium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Arizona to Texas and C. America, W. South America to N. Venezuela

Description

Hairy fournwort, scientifically known as Tetramerium nervosum, is an intriguing member of the Acanthaceae family. It was first described by the botanist Nees and further chronicled in G. Bentham’s “Botany of the Voyage of the Sulphur” in 1846, making it a species with a well-documented history.

This plant has adapted to a wide variety of environmental conditions, being found across a diverse geographic range. Its natural habitat stretches from the arid expanses of Arizona and Texas in the United States, down through Central America. Additionally, it is prevalent in the western regions of South America, extending all the way to northern Venezuela, highlighting its robust adaptability and resilience.

As a member of the Acanthaceae family, Hairy fournwort is related to a group of plants known for their distinctive foliage and floral structures. Specific characteristics of Tetramerium nervosum, including its hairy texture, contribute to its common name and make it a unique specimen among its botanical relatives.

Understanding the distribution and characteristics of Hairy fournwort not only enriches botanical knowledge but also offers insights into the ecological dynamics of the regions it inhabits. The wide distribution of this plant underscores its importance within local ecosystems and its role in maintaining biodiversity.

Overall, Tetramerium nervosum exemplifies the fascinating interplay between plant species and their environments, as well as the historical efforts of botanists to document and understand the natural world.

Common Names

Eng: hairy fournwort
En: Hairy fournwort, Hairy tetramerium

Synonyms

• Tetramerium nervosum var. hispidum (Torr.)
• Tetramerium ovalifolium (Oerst.)
• Dianthera sonorae (S.Watson)
• Tetramerium hispidum (Nees)
• Tetramerium standleyi (Hopp)
• Blechum angustius (Nees)
• Justicia papilionacea (Sessé & Moc.)
• Tetramerium hispidum var. greenmanii (Happ)
• Tetramerium calderonii (Happ)
• Tetramerium ovatum (Oerst.)
• Blechum sternbergii (Nees)
• Justicia nemorosa (Bertero ex Nees)
• Tetramerium nervosum var. angustifolium (Nees)
• Tetramerium angustius ((Nees) T.F.Daniel)
• Tetramerium scabrum (Torr. ex Happ)
• Tetramerium polystachyum (Nees)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Texas (native)
• Venezuela (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2012 by EOL − Tyrrhium (cc-by)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Mera Zambrano David Efren (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 24, 2015 by EOL − dale_denham_logsdon (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2012 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2014 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 3, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:56148-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5415436)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tetramerium nervosum Nees)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth