| Gonatopus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gonatopus boivinii in cultivation | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Zamioculcadoideae |
| Genus: | Gonatopus Engl. [1] |
| Species | |
See here | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Gonatopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, consisting of five species. [1] This genus is native to and southeastern Africa [1] and is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas . [2]
Gonatopus are terrestrial, [3] rhizomatous or tuberous, [3] [4] seasonally dormant herbs [5] with large, solitary [6] mostly petiolate, or rarely decurrent leaves. [3]
The plant bears 1–4 inflorescences. [4] The unisexual flowers have four fleshy tepals. [3] The stigma is capitate. [6] The orange, red, yellow, or white, ovoid to ellipsoid berry bears 1–2 ovoid to ellipsoid seeds. [4]
It was described by Adolf Engler in 1879. [6] [1] It is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas . [2]
It has five species: [1]
The most commonly found Gonatopus species in private collections and botanical gardens is Gonatopus boivinii. [2] Its common name giraffe's knees [7] [8] [9] is derived from the resemblance of the swollen part of the petiole with the knee of a giraffe. [8] [10] Since Gonatopus boivinii is tropical in origin, [10] it may be grown as an indoor plant. [8] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, [11] and may display mottled and spotted colouration on the leaves and the inflorescence. [9] The plants should be kept warm, [8] and in filtered light or light shade. [8] [12] After the growing season, the tubers can be stored outside of the soil. [8]
Media related to Gonatopus at Wikimedia Commons