Fumaria muralis W.D.J. Koch ssp. muralis

Locations ofFumaria muralis W.D.J. Koch ssp. muralis in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Fumariaceae
Botanical Name
Fumaria muralis W.D.J. Koch ssp. muralis
Common Name
Common Ramping-fumitory, Wall Fumitory
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Not in Flora of Virginia.
Comments
This taxon was first observed by Fred Huber in downtown Staunton VA (Augusta County) on May 17, 2013. It was subsequently seen there on June 1, 2015, May 12, 2019, and May 13, 2021. Numbers of plants have varied over this period, but the location of plants has remained fairly constant. The surrounding area and nearby railroad bed have been searched, but no additional plants have been found. The initial identification was made by Fred Huber; vouchers deposited at VPI were subsequently sent to Dr. Magnus Liden (Uppsala University Botanic Gardens, Uppsala, Sweden), who confirmed the determination.

There is an iNaturalist project devoted to monitoring the rapid spread of Fumaria muralis in the United States:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fumaria-muralis-in-the-usa
The species is native to western Europe and northwestern Africa but is widely naturalized as a weed beyond the native range. The first U.S. occurrence was reported from California in 2012. Since then, the number of reported observations has grown exponentially. It can now be found throughout California and locally in ten other states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Fumaria muralis ssp. muralis can be distinguished from the more widespread F. officinalis by its larger flowers (9-12mm long vs. 6-9mm long) occurring in racemes of about 12 flowers (vs. 20-40+ in F. officinalis). In addition, the fruits of F. muralis are broadly ovate to globose, while those of F. officinalis are distinctly broader than long, with a truncate or emarginate apex.
Habitat
Cracks along the brick and limestone bases of old buildings and in adjacent spaces between brick paving. Currently known only from the City of Staunton in Augusta County.
Native Status
Introduced

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