Calostemma

Calostemma
Calostemma luteum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Calostemma
R.Br.[1]
Species

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Calostemma is a small genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae[2]), commonly known as Wilcannia Lily. It consists of three species endemic to Australia, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitation.

Description

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Members of Calostemma often flower in a leafless state, the narrow, shining-green, strap-like leaves usually preceding flowering and reaching a length of 25–30 cm. Flower colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow.

Species

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The list of Calostemma species, with their complete scientific name and authority, is given below.[3]

Uses

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Due to their large and showy flowers, members of this genus are used as ornamental plants.

References

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  1. ^ Prodr.: 297 (1810).
  2. ^ Stevens, P.F., Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Amaryllidoideae
  3. ^ Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. World Checklist of Monocotyledons: Calostemma . Accessed May 26, 2009.
  4. ^ J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 22: 49 (2008).
  5. ^ Bot. Mag. 46: t. 2101 (1819).
  6. ^ Prodr.: 298 (1810).

Bibliography

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  • Cooper, H.M. 1971. Notes and observations on Calostemma purpureum. S. Austral. Nat. 45(4): 112–114.
  • Clark, T., Parsons, R.F. 1994. Ecology of Calostemma and Crinum (Amaryllidaceae) in the River Murray area, south-eastern Australia. Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 106: 129–145.
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