Asterella gracilis
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Asterella gracilis:
Taxonomic Info:
Family: Aytoniaceae
Genus: Asterella
Specific Epithet: gracilis
Rank: species
Abundance: Not known to occur
Southeast Alaska: and
Global Distribution:
Southeastern Alaska Distribution: Not previously reported from the region. Known only from the northeast shore of Saginaw Bay, 3 miles SE of Halleck Harbor, north of abandoned cannery, Kuiu Bay, 3 miles SE of Halleck Harbor, north of abandoned cannery, Kuiu Island, Worley and Schofield 9061. Both sites are near sea level.
Habitat: On dry, shaded, limestone cliff shelves. In Europe on mountain slopes and lower elevations in soil filled crevices and on sunny cliffs with a thin covering of soil (Arnell, 1956).
Comments: The specimens are usually ferile. The species appears to have a widespread distribution, but is nowhere common. Its restriction to Saginaw Bay may indicate a preference for drier, or non-oceanic climates, especially considering its common fertility.
