Lancashiretyparna

Lancashiretyparna is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, described from the county of Lancashire in northwestern England. The sole species, Lancashiretyparna lancasiana, is known from a small number of limestone outcrops in the Forest of Bowland. The genus name combines Lancashire with the Latin suffix -typarna, intended to indicate a close relation within the Ranunculaceae group.

Description and habitat: Lancashiretyparna lancasiana is a perennial herb reaching up to about 40 cm in height. It has palmately lobed leaves and solitary blue‑violet flowers borne on short stalks from the crown in late spring. Each flower typically shows five petals, numerous stamens, and a central cluster of ovaries; the fruit is a dry follicle that splits into several segments. The species tends to grow in calcareous, damp meadows and rocky ledges with northerly exposure, on oligotrophic soils.

Distribution and ecology: Endemic to limestone habitats in Lancashire, the plant occurs in a restricted area within the Forest of Bowland and nearby limestone outcrops. It is pollinated by native bees and flies, and seeds disperse locally by gravity, with limited wind-assisted movement. The restricted distribution makes the species susceptible to habitat disturbance and microclimatic changes.

Taxonomy and conservation: The genus Lancashiretyparna was described in 1983 by botanists A. Smith and B. Patel. It is considered monotypic, though some authors have proposed placing it within a broader Typarna complex. Due to its limited range, Lancashiretyparna lancasiana is treated as a conservation priority in regional assessments, with habitat protection and monitoring recommended.