Snow squarestem (Melanthera nivea, Fl. S.E. U.S. 1251, 1340 (1903))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (L.) Small

Bibliography: Fl. S.E. U.S. 1251, 1340 (1903)

Year: 1903

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melanthera

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. U.S.A. to Trop. America

Description

Snow squarestem, scientifically known as Melanthera nivea, is a noteworthy species within the vibrant Asteraceae family. First referenced descriptively in the early 20th century (Fl. S.E. U.S. 1251, 1340), this plant has been recognized and studied primarily for its distribution and distinguishing features. Credited to the work of botanist (L.) Small, Melanthera nivea has captured the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike due to its unique characteristics and ecological contributions.

The geographical footprint of Melanthera nivea spans the southeastern United States down to Tropical America, indicating its adaptability to various climatic conditions and terrains. This wide distribution highlights the plant’s ecological versatility and its potential interactions with diverse ecosystems.

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, Snow squarestem exhibits the classic traits associated with this family, characterized by composite inflorescences and often vibrant floral displays, which play a crucial role in attracting pollinators. The structural elegance and resilience of Melanthera nivea contribute to its ecological standing and utility in its native habitats.

As a species, Snow squarestem not only enhances the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits but also serves as an intriguing subject for further botanical studies due to its widespread presence and the resultant ecological interactions. The work and documentation provided by (L.) Small remain foundational in understanding and appreciating the significance of Melanthera nivea within its native range and beyond.

Common Names

Eng: pineland squarestem, snow squarestem, yerba de cabra
En: Snow squarestem, Pineland squarestem, Yerba de cabra
Es: Paira, Totolquelite

Synonyms

• Melanthera discoidea ((Baker) S.F.Blake)
• Echinocephalum discoideum (Baker)
• Melanthera crenata (O.E.Schulz)
• Amellus echinocephalon (Kuntze)
• Melanthera lanceolata (Benth.)
• Amellus asper var. glabriusculus (Kuntze)
• Bidens nivea (L.)
• Amellus asper ((Jacq.) Kuntze)
• Melanthera canescens f. bicolor (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera brevifolia (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera linearis (S.F.Blake)
• Melanthera aspera ((Jacq.) Steud. ex Small)
• Calea aspera (Jacq.)
• Melanthera carpenteri (Small)
• Melanthera molliuscula (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera calcicola (Britton)
• Melanthera longipes (Rusby)
• Amellus asper f. bicolor (Kuntze)
• Melanthera aspera var. glabriuscula ((Kuntze) J.C.Parks)
• Melanthera hastata var. parvifolia (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera urticifolia (Cass.)
• Melanthera amethystina (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera microphylla (Steetz)
• Melanthera angustifolia var. subhastata (O.E.Schulz)
• Amellus oxylepis (Kuntze)
• Melananthera deltoidea (Michx.)
• Melanthera deltoidea (Michx.)
• Amellus microphyllus (Kuntze)
• Wulffia hastata (M.Gómez)
• Melanthera oxylepis (DC.)
• Athanasia hastata (Walter)
• Wulffia angustifolia ((A.Rich.) M.Gómez)
• Melanthera hastata subsp. lobata ((Pursh) Borhidi)
• Melanthera hastata var. cubensis (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera confusa (Britton)
• Melanthera oxycarpha (S.F.Blake)
• Elephantopus cuneifolius (Fourn.)
• Melanthera linnaei (Kunth)
• Amellus lanceolatus (Kuntze)
• Amellus discoideus ((Baker) Kuntze)
• Amellus asper var. normalis (Kuntze)
• Amellus asper var. canescens (Kuntze)
• Melanthera lobata (Small)
• Melanthera ligulata (Small)
• Melanthera canescens (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera montana (O.E.Schulz)
• Melanthera buchii (Urb.)
• Melanthera aspera var. canescens (Thell.)
• Melanthera hastifolia (S.F.Blake)
• Melanthera aspera var. subhastata ((O.E.Schulz) D’Arcy)
• Melanthera amellus var. subhastata ((O.E.Schulz) D’Arcy)
• Melanthera trilobata (Cass.)
• Melanthera angustifolia (A.Rich.)
• Amellus niveus ((L.) Kuntze)
• Melananthera hastata (Michx.)
• Melanthera hastata (Michx.)
• Melanthera panduriformis (Cass.)
• Melanthera hastata subsp. cubensis ((O.E.Schulz) Borhidi)
• Melanthera purpurascens (S.F.Blake)
• Wulffia deltoidea ((Michx.) M.Gómez)
• Melanthera parviceps (S.F.Blake)
• Melanthera hastata var. pandurata (Pursh)
• Melanthera corymbosa (Spreng.)
• Melanthera hastata var. lobata (Pursh)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Illinois (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 23, 2018 by José Martí Rosales Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Zumbado Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2021 by Zumbado Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by safoan safoan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2020 by zuñiga Eduardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2020 by Arce Alfredo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2020 by cáceres Felux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2020 by samantha Williams (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 26, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:156327-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3092271)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melanthera nivea (L.) Small)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth