Miquel’s mazus (Mazus miquelii, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 16: 162 (1902))

Family: Mazaceae

Author: Makino

Bibliography: Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 16: 162 (1902)

Year: 1902

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mazus

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. China (to Hubei), Temp. E. Asia

Description

Miquel’s mazus, scientifically known as Mazus miquelii, is a remarkable plant that belongs to the Mazaceae family. Discovered and documented by Makino in the early 20th century, this species was first described in detail in 1902 in the Botanical Magazine of Tokyo, a testament to its long-standing recognition in the botanical community.

Native to the temperate regions of Eastern Asia, specifically Southeast China extending to Hubei province, Miquel’s mazus thrives in a diverse range of habitats. Its adaptability to different environmental conditions within this geographic area highlights its resilience and ecological versatility.

Mazus miquelii is distinguished by its delicate and intricate floral structure, which offers both aesthetic value and botanical interest. Although small in size, its blossoms are a visual delight, often drawing the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. The flowers of Miquel’s mazus contribute to local biodiversity, participating in intricate ecological relationships with pollinators and other plant species.

Its presence in the temperate zones of Eastern Asia not only underscores its adaptability but also its role within those ecosystems. The plant’s ability to flourish in such regions speaks to its evolutionary success and ecological importance. Studying Mazus miquelii provides invaluable insights into the botanical diversity and environmental dynamics of its native habitats.

Overall, Miquel’s mazus stands out not just for its botanical characteristics but also for its ecological significance. Its enduring presence from its initial discovery by Makino to the current day marks it as a species of ongoing interest and importance in the field of botany.

Common Names

Eng: miquel’s mazus
En: Miquel’s mazus
De: Lippenmäulchen

Synonyms

• Mazus japonicus (Bonati)
• Vandellia japonica (Miq.)
• Mazus stolonifer var. taibokuensis (Masam.)
• Mazus wilsonii (Bonati)
• Mazus miquelii f. contractus ((Makino) Sugim. ex Yamazaki)
• Mazus miquelii f. albiflorus ((Makino) Makino)
• Mazus miquelii var. rotundifolius ((Franch. & Sav.) Nakai)
• Mazus rugosus var. stolonifer (Maxim.)
• Mazus rugosus var. macranthus (Franch. & Sav.)
• Mazus rugosus var. rotundifolius (Franch. & Sav.)
• Mazus miquelii f. rotundifolius ((Franch. & Sav.) T.Yamaz.)
• Mazus japonicus var. leucanthus (X.D.Dong & Ji H.Li)
• Mazus englerianus (Bonati)
• Mazus miquelii var. stolonifer ((Maxim.) Nakai)
• Mazus rotundifolius ((Franch. & Sav.) Koidz.)
• Mazus fargesii (Bonati)
• Mazus rotundus (Furumi)
• Mazus reptans (N.E.Br.)
• Mazus stolonifer ((Maxim.) Makino)
• Mazus stolonifer f. roseus (Honda)
• Pyxidaria japonica ((Miq.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken May 5, 2017 by 省三 小谷 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2015 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2015 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171302)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:805560-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mazus miquelii Makino)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth