Monsonia

Monsonia
Monsonia emarginata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Monsonia
L.

Monsonia is a genus of plants in the family Geraniaceae. It is named after Lady Anne Monson, 1714–76, known for her botanical knowledge and plant collecting in the Cape.

Description

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Monsonia consists of herbs or undershrubs often with simple stem from woody rootstock or deep tap root; leaves toothed or divided; flowers regular, petals 5, separate, tip broad, blunt or slightly notched, stamens in 5 groups with 3 stamens in each, one longer than others, ovary 5 lobed; fruit beaked.

Taxonomy

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As of July 2020, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families accepts 27 species:[1]

Distribution

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Distributed in Africa, Western Asia and East India, approximately 40 species, approximately 21 in South Africa.[2][3]

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References

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  1. ^ "Plants of the world online". Royal Botanic gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ A Field Guide to Wild Flowers Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Region by Elsa Pooley, Natal Flora Publications Trust, first edition 1998, ISBN 0-620-21500-3
  3. ^ wild Flowers of Niorthern South Africa by Gerrit Germishuizen, Fernwood Press 1997, ISBN 1-874950-29-6