Moderplantans

Moderplantans is a fictional genus of flowering plants created for illustrative purposes in botanical education. It is commonly described as having a single species, Moderplantans moderata.

Taxonomy: Moderplantans is placed in the family Asteraceae, order Asterales. The genus is monotypic, with Moderplantans moderata as the type species.

Moderplantans moderata is a herbaceous annual reaching 30–60 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate with shallow serrations. The inflorescence comprises heads with yellow ray florets and pale orange disc florets. Fruits are achenes with a light pappus.

In the fictional account, Moderplantans moderata is native to temperate grasslands of the fictional continent of Novalia, with introduced populations in other temperate regions.

Pollination is mainly by bees and butterflies. The species tends to prefer well-drained soils and moderate moisture, tolerating drought once established. It is mainly used in teaching collections and occasionally as an ornamental plant for yellow-flowered displays.

Etymology and history: The genus name Moderplantans combines Latin moderatus, meaning 'moderate,' and planta, meaning 'plant,' reflecting its mid-sized, non-invasive habit in the fictitious account. The species name moderata repeats the descriptive element.