Kickxia elatine
Tracheophyta
›Magnoliopsida›Scrophulariaceae›Kickxia›Kickxia elatine
Ecology
An annual of basic soils, including light soils over chalk and calcareous boulder-clay, found on the headlands and margins of arable fields (particularly cornfields), and less commonly on tracks, waste ground and in gardens. It is also found on sandy soils, and has been recorded on open peaty ground (Co. Cork). Lowland.
Status
Archaeophyte
Trends
Although this species is often only present in small and scattered populations, its overall distribution shows only limited losses. Simpson (1982) suggests that some Kickxia seeds germinate in late summer and may therefore escape herbicides.
World Distribution
As an archaeophyte K. elatine has a European Southern-temperate distribution; it is widely naturalised outside this range.
© M. Cotterill, IWNHAS
SZ386893 Wellow
© M. Cotterill, IWNHAS
SZ386893 Wellow
© M. Cotterill, IWNHAS
SZ386893 Wellow
© M. Cotterill, IWNHAS
Broad Habitats
Arable and horticultural (includes orchards, excludes domestic gardens)
Light (Ellenberg): 7
Moisture (Ellenberg): 4
Reaction (Ellenberg): 6
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 5
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 4.1
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 16
Annual Precipitation (mm): 813
Height (cm): 25
Perennation - primary
Annual
Life Form - primary
Therophyte (annual land plant)
Woodiness
Herbaceous
Clonality - primary
Little or no vegetative spread
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 911
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 41
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 11
Atlas Change Index: -0.18
Weighted Changed Factor: 37
Weighted Change Factor Confidence (90%)
22
JNCC Designations
NBNSYS0000004075