Gethyllis

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Kukumakranka
Gethyllis ciliaris01.jpg
Gethyllis ciliaris [lower-alpha 1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Tribe: Haemantheae
Genus: Gethyllis
L. [1]
Type species
Gethyllis afra
L.
Synonyms [2]
  • AbapusAdans.
  • PapiriaThunb.
  • KlingiaSchönland

Gethyllis (probably from Greek "gethyon", bulb), commonly called Kukumakranka, Koekemakranka, or Kroekemakrank, is a genus of bulbous plant in the amaryllid family with some 33 accepted species. It is native to the Cape Provinces, the Northern Provinces and the Free State of South Africa, as well as Botswana and Namibia. [2]

Contents

Description

The fragrant, solitary, white flower appears late December. Flowering is well-synchronised to increase the odds of cross-pollination, the genus being incapable of self-fertilisation. Triggering of mass flowering is thought to result from a sudden change in barometric pressure. Some three months later the edible, scented creamy-white to orange-yellow to rich burgundy-red, club-shaped fruit starts pushing above the soil surface. The inferior ovary is located well below ground-level where the developing fruit or berry is hidden until its growth forces it into view. Emergence of the fruit is followed almost immediately by the first leaves. The ripe fruit falls over and sheds its short-lived seeds, ready to take advantage of the winter rains. The genus is easily identified by its spirally twisted grey-green, strap-like leaves which develop during the winter months (May - August).

The ripe fruit is sometimes used to impart its special aroma to bottles of brandy.

Taxonomy

This winter-growing genus is closely related to Apodolirion , which has 6 species found in both summer and winter regions, ranging from the Southern Cape to the summer-rainfall area of the Transvaal. The two genera together constitute the subtribe Gethyllidinae.

Species [2] [3] [4] [5]
Formerly included [2]

A few names have been coined using the name Gethyllis, but referring to species now considered better suited to other genera (Apodolirion Curculigo Empodium). We here provide links to help you locate appropriate information

Distribution and habitat

Gethyllis has an extensive distribution covering the winter-rainfall area of the southern portion of Namibia and throughout the Cape Provinces, with the Vanrhynsdorp-Nieuwoudtville region showing the greatest species diversity.

Notes

  1. Painting by Dutch artist Robert Jacob Gordon. Patrick Cullinan. "Robert Jacob Gordon 1743-1795 The Man and his Travels at the Cape". Winchester Struik, Cape Town, 1992

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<i>Ammocharis longifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

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  1. Empodium elongatum(Nel) B.L.Burtt – Lesotho, Eswatini, Lesotho
  2. Empodium flexile(Nel) M.F.Thomps. ex Snijman – Cape Province
  3. Empodium gloriosum(Nel) B.L.Burtt – Cape Province
  4. Empodium monophyllum(Nel) B.L.Burtt – KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini
  5. Empodium namaquensis(Baker) M.F.Thomps. – Cape Province
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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gethyllidinae</span> Subtribe of flowering plants

Gethyllidinae is a small subtribe within the amaryllis family. It is within tribe Haemantheae, and therefore within the African clades of Amaryllidoideae. It contains two genera, Gethyllis and Apodolirion, both are endemic to southern Africa.

<i>Lobostemon</i> Genus of flowering plants

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Strumaria massoniella is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It was first described in 1985 as Gemmaria massoniella. Its bulb is solitary. Like other members of the genus Strumaria it has star-shaped flowers. In the Northern Cape Province, it is found in sandy plains at an elevation of about 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

<i>Strumaria watermeyeri</i> Species of flowering plant

Strumaria watermeyeri is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it is found in dry areas in the northwest. It is usually solitary, and has pink or white flowers. It was first described by Louisa Bolus in 1921.

References

  1. Linnaeus 1753, Class XI: Dodecandria. Monogynia. Gethyllis p. 442
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. "Biodiversity Explorer". Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
  4. Aluka [ permanent dead link ]
  5. Sanbi Red List of South African Plants, genus Gethyllis

Bibliography