kerfisbæra

Kerfisbæra is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Amaranthaceae, described in 2010 by botanists M. S. Kershaw and L. R. Paine. The sole species is Kerfisbæra glaucifolia. The genus name honors researcher Kerfi and uses the suffix -bæra to indicate bearing, while the species epithet refers to the glaucous foliage of the plant.

Description and characteristics define Kerfisbæra glaucifolia as a perennial herb or small subshrub reaching up to about 60 cm in height. It has slender, glaucous, linear leaves and densely arranged inflorescences composed of small pinkish flowers. The stems often show a purple tinge, and the fruits are small, three-angled utricles. The plant is adapted to dry conditions and saline environments, with foliage that helps reduce water loss.

Distribution and habitat place Kerfisbæra glaucifolia in the Mediterranean coastal zone. It is considered endemic to coastal dunes and garigue ecosystems from southern France through parts of Italy and Greece, where it grows in sandy, well-drained soils exposed to regular sea spray at low elevations.

Ecology and reproduction indicate flowering from spring to early summer, with pollination primarily by solitary bees. The species forms a shallow soil seed bank and tolerates saline soils. Seed dispersal is mainly by gravity and, in some populations, limited arthropod-mediated movement, including ants.

Taxonomy and phylogeny place Kerfisbæra within the subfamily Chenopodioideae, showing molecular affinities with clades containing Atriplex and Bassia. The genus is distinguished by its glaucous foliage, narrow leaves, and compact inflorescences.

Conservation and use note that Kerfisbæra glaucifolia faces threats from coastal development and tourism, resulting in a fragmented distribution. It is protected in a number of reserves and is primarily of conservation interest, with limited horticultural use.