Adlumia is a small genus of two species of climbing herbaceous vines in the family Papaveraceae (order Ranunculales), often placed in the subfamily Fumariaceae. The genus was first formally described and published in Systema Naturae vol. 2, page 111, in 1821.
The two species share a distinctive habit: slender, twining stems that climb through surrounding vegetation by means of their leaf petioles, producing delicate, pendant, tubular flowers reminiscent of bleeding hearts and fumitories. The foliage is finely divided and ferny in texture.
Adlumia fungosa, commonly known as Allegheny vine, climbing fumitory, or mountain fringe, is native to eastern North America. Its range extends from Virginia and Tennessee northward and westward to Iowa, Minnesota, and eastern Canada. It typically inhabits moist, shaded woodland edges, rocky slopes, and disturbed forest clearings, where it scrambles over shrubs and other vegetation.
Adlumia asiatica occupies a disjunct range on the opposite side of the Northern Hemisphere, growing in Korea, adjacent Manchuria in northeastern China, and the Russian Far East (Amur and Khabarovsk regions).
The genus is named in honor of John Adlum (1759–1836), an American surveyor, associate judge, plantsman, and agriculturist who operated an 80-hectare experimental farm in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., and was known for his contributions to American horticulture.
Etymology
The genus name Adlumia honors John Adlum (1759–1836), an American surveyor, associate judge, plantsman, and agriculturist who ran an 80-hectare experimental farm in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The genus was first described and published in Systema Naturae vol. 2 in 1821.
Distribution
Adlumia fungosa occurs in the eastern United States from Virginia and Tennessee northward to Iowa, Minnesota, and eastern Canada. Adlumia asiatica occupies a disjunct range in Korea, adjacent Manchuria (northeastern China), and the Russian Far East (Amur and Khabarovsk).
