Despite its diminutive size, the plant is deeply-rooted with roughly fifty times more biomass below-ground than above-ground.[4] This aids it in being resilient to disturbance once established, with individuals frequently resprouting after fire or mechanical disturbance.[1]
Conservation
A relatively recently described species, its conservation status under federal and state listings is unclear. However, NatureServe has listed the species as at extreme risk due to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation as the southern Lake Wales Ridge continues a rapid rate of development for real estate and agriculture. The species is known to exist in less than 20 known sites, though not all sites are thought to support healthy populations.[1]
Flowering structure
Despite its locally stable subpopulations with >90% year-to-year survival, the species is challenged by its low fecundity. Observed subpopulations appear to either be all female or a mix of male and andromonoecious individuals, with females being the predominant flowerers and fruit production being low.[4] Fire has been noted to simultaneously have negative long-term consequences for survival but short-term benefits to flowering rates.[4]
Gallery
Specimen growing in trail used for low-volume vehicular traffic
Specimens resprouting after previously being mulched
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