Scarlet Toothcup, newly discovered on Duck Island, last found in NJ in the 1800s
Ammannia coccinia (aka ‘Scarlet Toothcup’ and ‘Valley Redstem’) is a new addition to the Marsh plant species list. According to David Snyder (NJ DEP Natural Heritage Program), the species was last recorded in NJ between 1866 through 1870 at a Camden ballast dump.
Scarlet Toothcup was found on 30 July 2012 by Mary and Charlie Leck along Lamberton Road on Duck Island, across from the small D&R Canal towpath parking lot. It was growing in a wet depression. There were many plants suggesting that this annual species must have been growing and producing seeds there for more than a year. Interestingly, it has not dispersed to other nearly wet depressions. It is an obligate wetland species.
Ammannia is in the Loosestife Family (Lythraceae), as is Winged Loosetrife (Lythrum alatum), Swamp Loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus), and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). This species does not, however, have large conspicuous flowers. Fruits and seeds are also small.
It is not known exactly when or how Scarlet Toothcup arrived on Duck Island. It has a fairly broad distribution in the United States, and although it is listed as threatened in Pennsylvania, its status in NJ is still undetermined.
The Marsh species list is now at more than 910.