Nowicke's weed (Nowickea)

Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Nowickea Genus: Endemic Mexican Phytolaccaceae

Deep within the dry scrublands and deciduous forests of Jalisco and Morelos, a highly specialized botanical treasure remains hidden from most of the world. First brought to the attention of the scientific community in 1989, the genus Nowickea stands as a fascinating evolutionary relic of Mexico's rich endemic flora.

This group of herbaceous plants highlights the intricate diversity of the family Phytolaccaceae. Its naming serves as a tribute to Joan W. Nowicke, a prominent American palynologist who dedicated decades of research to the Smithsonian Institution.

Botanists recognize only two species within this distinct genus, both localized to narrow geographic ranges in central and western Mexico. Exploring the biology of Nowickea reveals unique reproductive adaptations, including a highly modified floral structure that distinguishes it from its close relatives.

Taxonomy

∟ царство Plantae
∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
∟ Angiosperms
∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
∟ eudicots
∟ Superasterids
∟ order Caryophyllales
∟ family Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)
∟ genus Nowickea (Nowicke's weed)

Morphology

Members of the genus Nowickea are upright herbaceous plants that exhibit slight woodiness at the base of their stems, resembling their relatives in the genus Phytolacca. The foliage is arranged alternately along the stems, consisting of simple, entire leaves with elliptic to lanceolate shapes.

The reproductive structures display key diagnostic features that define the genus:

Flowers: The bisexual flowers possess a simple, green-white perianth made up of five distinct tepals.
Gynophore: A highly developed, stalk-like gynophore lifts the ovary and the developing fruit well above the insertion point of the floral parts.
Ovary: The superior ovary is composed of seven to ten carpels, with terminal styles that are fused at the very base.
Fruit: The resulting fruit is ovoid or pear-shaped (obovoid), containing tiny, smooth, ellipsoidal seeds.

Interesting facts

The history and distribution of this rare Mexican taxon offer several intriguing details for researchers:

Late Discovery: Despite its distinct characteristics, the genus was officially described only in 1989 by botanists Julieta Martínez and J. Andrew McDonald.
Scientific Tribute: The name Nowickea honors Joan W. Nowicke, an influential American botanist who specialized in pollen morphology (palynology) at the National Museum of Natural History.
Strict Endemism: Both known species, Nowickea glabra and Nowickea xolocotzii, are completely restricted to specific Mexican states, primarily Jalisco, Morelos, and Guanajuato.