{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.desfontainia","code":"thing-q13541821","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q13541821/","name":"Desfontainia","alternateNames":[],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.1.0-research.1","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.LIV"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"Desfontainia is a genus of evergreen shrubs native to tropical and temperate parts of the Americas, placed in Columelliaceae and best known for Desfontainia spinosa, which has spiny, holly-like leaves and tubular flowers.","purpose":"Enable an agent to recognise Desfontainia, qualify its identification, assess a living plant's condition and choose evidence-supported observation or cultivation actions.","scope":{"in":["Genus identity, taxonomic treatment and mappings from historical names","Diagnostic vegetative and reproductive observations","Wild or cultivated occurrence and accession provenance","Growth, flowering and fruiting observations","Site suitability, plant condition and propagation evidence"],"out":["Full species monographs or separately registered species models","Ilex and other plants sharing holly-like foliage","Whole forest ecosystems and regional vegetation classifications","Nursery businesses, garden designs and commercial plant listings","Extract chemistry, medicinal products and clinical effects"],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Resolve the name at genus rank: Desfontainia must not automatically become a record for D. spinosa. Kew recognises the genus and separately accepts D. spinosa, D. fulgens and D. splendens. [Kew taxonomic search](https://powo.science.kew.org/results?q=Desfontainia)","Use leathery, spiny, holly-like foliage together with solitary, pendent tubular flowers as recognition evidence; foliage resemblance alone is insufficient. [RHS genus description](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/101173/desfontainia-spinosa/details)","For plants labelled D. spinosa, compare the observed flowers with the RHS description of scarlet tubes with yellow lobe tips, while preserving the label's taxonomic treatment rather than assuming this diagnoses every species. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/101173/desfontainia-spinosa/details)","Require reproductive observations or a defensible botanical determination before resolving similar Desfontainia plants to species; a nursery label or geographic locality alone does not establish the identification."],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"taxonomic-identity","name":"Taxonomic identity","description":"Resolve what Desfontainia denotes and which taxonomic concept an observation uses.","layers":[{"id":"genus-boundary","name":"Genus boundary","description":"Keep the registered genus separate from its constituent species and individual plants.","findings":[{"id":"accepted-genus-concept","name":"Accepted genus concept","description":"Desfontainia Ruiz & Pav. is accepted at genus rank by Kew; records should name the treatment supporting their narrower identifications. [Kew genus record](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A25051-1)","questions":[{"text":"Which taxonomic authority and version define Desfontainia for this record?","id":"accepted-genus-concept-q01","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Does the evidence identify the genus, a constituent species or only a supplied plant label?","id":"accepted-genus-concept-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"name-reconciliation","name":"Name reconciliation","description":"Preserve original determinations while connecting them to a chosen treatment.","findings":[{"id":"historical-label-resolution","name":"Historical label resolution","description":"Treat synonym mappings as authority-dependent assertions, retaining the original name, determiner and evidence.","questions":[{"text":"What exact name and authority appeared on the original Desfontainia label or voucher?","id":"historical-label-resolution-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Does the selected treatment map that name to D. spinosa, another species or an unresolved concept?","id":"historical-label-resolution-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"diagnostic-morphology","name":"Diagnostic morphology","description":"Combine vegetative resemblance with reproductive evidence.","layers":[{"id":"vegetative-recognition","name":"Vegetative recognition","description":"Record leaf and shoot characters before assigning identity from appearance.","findings":[{"id":"holly-like-foliage-check","name":"Holly-like foliage check","description":"Document leaf arrangement, blade texture and marginal spines together, recording any missing diagnostic views.","questions":[{"text":"Do photographs show intact shoots, leaf attachments and both leaf surfaces?","id":"holly-like-foliage-check-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"What evidence beyond spiny foliage supports Desfontainia rather than Ilex or another shrub?","id":"holly-like-foliage-check-q02","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"reproductive-determination","name":"Reproductive determination","description":"Use flowers and available fruits to test the proposed botanical identity.","findings":[{"id":"flower-evidence-set","name":"Flower evidence set","description":"Capture flower orientation, colour, dimensions and detailed calyx and corolla features for comparison with a taxonomic key.","questions":[{"text":"What are the measured corolla and calyx lengths, and are lobe shapes and hairs visible?","id":"flower-evidence-set-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which botanical key or determined voucher supports the identification from these characters?","id":"flower-evidence-set-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"occurrence-and-seasonality","name":"Occurrence and seasonality","description":"Connect each plant to its origin, environment and observed reproductive calendar.","layers":[{"id":"accession-and-locality","name":"Accession and locality","description":"Distinguish where a plant was observed from where its founding material originated.","findings":[{"id":"wild-origin-evidence","name":"Wild-origin evidence","description":"Retain collection locality and cultivation history separately, including uncertainty about whether an occurrence is spontaneous.","questions":[{"text":"Is this Desfontainia occurrence wild, planted or of uncertain origin?","id":"wild-origin-evidence-q01","kind":"boundary"},{"text":"Which voucher or accession record connects the plant to its reported collection locality?","id":"wild-origin-evidence-q02","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"reproductive-calendar","name":"Reproductive calendar","description":"Record local flowering and fruit development without imposing one calendar across the genus.","findings":[{"id":"dated-reproductive-observations","name":"Dated reproductive observations","description":"Associate buds, flowers and fruits with observation dates, locality and accession identity.","questions":[{"text":"On which dates were buds, open flowers and developing or mature fruits observed?","id":"dated-reproductive-observations-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"When should this plant be revisited to obtain reproductive material needed for identification?","id":"dated-reproductive-observations-q02","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"cultivation-and-condition","name":"Cultivation and condition","description":"Support site assessment, condition monitoring and documented propagation.","layers":[{"id":"site-fit-and-injury","name":"Site fit and injury","description":"Compare measured growing conditions with guidance applicable to the identified plant.","findings":[{"id":"qualified-cultivation-guidance","name":"Qualified cultivation guidance","description":"RHS recommends sheltered partial shade and humus-rich, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil for its D. spinosa concept; verify applicability to the accession. [RHS cultivation guidance](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/101173/desfontainia-spinosa/details)","questions":[{"text":"What soil pH, drainage, moisture and exposure conditions surround this plant?","id":"qualified-cultivation-guidance-q01","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which observed symptoms and environmental records justify changing watering, shelter or planting position?","id":"qualified-cultivation-guidance-q02","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"propagation-and-establishment","name":"Propagation and establishment","description":"Record propagation method, parent identity and establishment outcomes.","findings":[{"id":"traceable-propagation-trial","name":"Traceable propagation trial","description":"RHS lists seed and semi-hardwood cuttings for D. spinosa; record protocols and results rather than assuming success throughout Desfontainia. [RHS propagation guidance](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/101173/desfontainia-spinosa/details)","questions":[{"text":"Which identified parent accession supplied the seed or cutting material?","id":"traceable-propagation-trial-q01","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"What treatment, timing and growing conditions produced germination or rooting, and what proportion subsequently established?","id":"traceable-propagation-trial-q02","kind":"measurement"}]}]}]},{"id":"evidence-and-external-alignment","name":"Evidence and external alignment","description":"What the world already says about this thing, gathered so the model can be checked against it.","layers":[{"id":"reported-evidence","name":"Reported evidence","description":"Findings from the breadth pass, kept separate from the structural claims.","findings":[{"id":"evidence-confidence-notes","name":"Check these first","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these check these first hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-confidence-notes-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-identifiers","name":"Identifiers and schemes","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-identifiers-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation","name":"Standards and regulation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-standards-and-regulation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-real-world-use","name":"Real-world use","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-real-world-use-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards","name":"Failure modes and hazards","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-failure-modes-and-hazards-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-regional-variation","name":"Regional variation","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-regional-variation-q01","kind":"provenance"}]},{"id":"evidence-neighbours","name":"Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart","description":"Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.","questions":[{"text":"Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of Desfontainia this model covers, and on what evidence?","id":"evidence-neighbours-q01","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Identify Desfontainia from its holly-like leaves and tubular red and yellow flowers.","Record wild occurrences and cultivated plants with location and source.","Explain its botany and traditional uses from documented sources."],"mustNot":["Collect plants or seed from the wild without permission from the landholder or authority.","Recommend eating or using any part of the plant as a drug or remedy.","Present traditional uses by Andean communities as validated medical treatment.","Misidentify Desfontainia as holly or another shrub in plant records."],"requiresHuman":["Recording or publishing traditional knowledge held by Indigenous communities."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Traditional knowledge of the plant belongs to the communities that hold it.","Wild populations can be harmed by careless collection."],"affectedParties":["Indigenous communities of the Andes","Gardeners and growers","Wild plant populations"]},"owners":{"steward":"Nobody owns the genus; landholders and conservation authorities answer for wild plants.","roles":[],"masterSystems":["Herbarium and biodiversity occurrence databases"]},"relations":[{"target":"Q1151696","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.desfontainia","Wikidata: Q13541821 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13541821)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["Taxonomic concept: Accepted name, rank, authority, reference treatment and date","Identification confidence: Unresolved; provisional genus; confirmed genus; provisional species; confirmed species","Leaf architecture: Observed arrangement, blade shape, texture and marginal spine pattern","Flower morphology: Corolla and calyx lengths in mm, with photographs of lobes and hairs","Flower presentation: Tube and lobe colours, orientation and solitary or grouped occurrence","Occurrence origin: Wild; planted; cultivation escape suspected; unknown","Phenological stage: Vegetative; budding; flowering; developing fruit; mature fruit; mixed","Root-zone conditions: Soil pH, moisture with measurement method, and drainage observations","Exposure history: Minimum temperature in °C, exposure duration and observed wind or shelter"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Glossy, spiny, holly-like evergreen leaves arranged in opposite pairs.","Pendulous tubular red flowers with yellow tips.","A compact shrub of cool, moist mountain forests or sheltered gardens."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["Compare foliage and flowers with an identified botanical reference and flag mismatches.","Reconcile an accession's historical or nursery name with a specified taxonomic treatment.","Schedule a flowering-season revisit when vegetative evidence cannot resolve identification.","Assess planting-site suitability using accession identity, local exposure and applicable cultivation evidence.","Document seed or cutting propagation trials while preserving parent provenance.","Track plant condition and reproductive development through dated observations."]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Confusion with holly in the field can lead to wrong records.","Ingestion of the plant is reported to have psychoactive effects and is unsafe."]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, adopted by the International Botanical Congress, governs the scientific naming of Desfontainia and its species."]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Desfontainia is encountered as living shrubs in native American vegetation and in cultivated botanical collections.","The genus is studied in plant identification and taxonomy, and cultivated specimens are observed for flowering, growth and environmental suitability."]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q13541821: Desfontainia","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13541821","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Desfontainia","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desfontainia","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Which taxonomic treatment should govern the registry, and how should conflicting uses of D. spinosa and its associated names be mapped?","Which reproductive characters reliably separate the accepted Desfontainia species, and what identifications remain possible without flowers?","What voucher-supported native ranges and habitat envelopes apply to each species under the selected treatment?","How do frost tolerance, soil requirements and propagation success vary among identified species and provenances?","What direct field evidence establishes pollinators, fruit dispersers and recruitment constraints for each species?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q13541821/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q13541821/spec.json"],"providers":["Codex"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-12T09:07:13Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:26+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}