Physocarpus, commonly called ninebark, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to North America (most species) and northeastern Asia (one species).
Description
Physocarpus are deciduous shrubs with peeling bark[2] and alternately arranged leaves. The leaves are palmate with 3 to 7 lobes and often toothed edges. The inflorescence is a cluster of bell-shaped flowers with 5 rounded white or pink petals and many stamens. The fruit is a flat or inflated dehiscent follicle.[3][4]
Physocarpus opulifolius is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Several cultivars have been bred, particularly for foliage of varying colors, including 'Dart's Gold' and 'Luteus', which have yellowish leaves, and 'Monlo' and 'Seward', which have reddish purple foliage.[5]
Taxonomy
Species
There are six[3][6][7] to 20[4] species in the genus. They include:
Synonyms
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Physocarpus hanceana Kuntze (1891) = Neillia hanceana (Kuntze) S.H.Oh (2006)[19]
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Physocarpus intermedius (Rydb.) C.K.Schneid. (1906) = Physocarpus opulifolius var. intermedius (Rydb.) B.L.Rob. (1908)[20]
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Physocarpus torreyi (S. Watson) Maxim. (1879) = Physocarpus monogynus (Torr.) J.M.Coult. (1891)[21]
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Physocarpus stellatus (Rydb. ex Small) Rehder (1920) = Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim. (1879)[22]
Etymology
The genus name Physocarpus comes from the Greek word for "bladder fruit", referring to the inflated fruits of some species.[23] The common name 'ninebark' refers to the peeling bark of mature branches, which comes away in strips.[2]
Cultivation
Propagation is by seeds sown as soon as ripe or they can be stored dry in airtight containers in a cool place for up to a year and then sown. Plants can be divided in the early spring, with a sharp spade or even an axe, chopping right through the middle. Softwood and hardwood cuttings are easy to root.
Garden writers describe few if any problems, but it is not unheard for armies of aphids to attack some varieties. Some seaside specimens exhibit powdery mildew in summer.
References
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^ Physocarpus Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 22 Jan 2012
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^ a b Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'. Missouri Botanical Garden.
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^ a b Physocarpus. The Jepson eFlora 2013.
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^ a b Physocarpus. Flora of China.
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^ Common Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius'. University of Illinois Extension.
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^ Oh, S. H. and D. Potter. (2005). Molecular phylogenetic systematics and biogeography of tribe Neillieae (Rosaceae) using DNA sequences of cpDNA, rDNA, and LEAFY. American Journal of Botany 92(1), 179-92.
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^ Oh, S. H., et al. (2010). Phylogenetic relationship of Physocarpus insularis (Rosaceae) endemic on Ulleung Island: implications for conservation biology. Journal of Plant Biology 53(1), 94-105.
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Physocarpus alternans". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 22 Jan 2012.
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^ P. amurensis Flora of China, www.eFloras.org 22 Jan 2012
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^ P. australis International Organization for Plant Information (IOPI) 22 Jan 2012
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^ "Physocarpus bracteatus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Physocarpus capitatus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 22 Jan 2012.
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^ P. glabratus Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 22 Jan 2012
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Physocarpus malvaceus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 22 Jan 2012.
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Physocarpus monogynus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 22 Jan 2012.
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^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Physocarpus opulifolius". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 22 Jan 2012.
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^ P. pauciflorus International Organization for Plant Information (IOPI) 22 Jan 2012
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^ P. ribesifolia Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 22 Jan 2012
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^ "Physocarpus hanceana". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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^ P. intermedius Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 22 Jan 2012
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^ P. torreyi Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) 22 Jan 2012
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^ "Physocarpus stellatus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
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^ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of Plant Names. USA: Timber Press.
