Muraltia

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Muraltia
Muraltia bolusii.jpg
Muraltia bolusii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Tribe: Polygaleae
Genus: Muraltia
DC. 1815
Type species
Muraltia heisteria
(L.) DC.
Synonyms [1]
  • HeisteriaL. ex P. J. Bergius 1767, non Jacq. 1760
  • MundiaKunth 1821 [1823]
  • Mundtia(Goldblatt & J.C. Manning) W. Harvey in W. Harvey & O. Sonder 1860, orth. var.
  • NylandtiaDumort. 1822

Muraltia is a genus of plants in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae) which is native to Southern and Eastern Africa. [2] [3] [4] Most of the species are endemic to South Africa, and one species is naturalized in Australia. [5] It is named after Johannes von Muralt, a Swiss botanist and surgeon. [6]

Contents

In 2006 the genus Nylandtia, which contained two species, was merged into Muraltia. [7] The two species formerly part of Nylandtia are Muraltia scoparia and Muraltia spinosa . Nylandtia are commonly known as "Tortoise berry" plants ("skilpadbessie"). This is because of the bright edible berries that they produce, which are relished by the tortoise species of the fynbos. [1]

Description

Muraltia are perennial, ericoid shrublets or shrubs. Their small flowers and sessile or have short stalks. [8] usually have 3 petals and 5  sepals which are usually subequal. Their fruits contain 2 seeds. Their capsules are flat, membranous, and usually 4-horned. Its seeds are pubescent. [4] [9]

Species

As of November 2025, 119 species are accepted. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Forest, Félix; Manning, John C. (2006). "Evidence for inclusion of South African endemic Nylandtia in Muraltia (Polygalaceae)". Syst Bot . 31 (3): 525–532. doi:10.1600/036364406778388566. JSTOR   25064182.
  2. ↑ Roskov Y.; Kunze T.; Orrell T.; Abucay L.; Paglinawan L.; Culham A.; Bailly N.; Kirk P.; Bourgoin T.; Baillargeon G.; Decock W.; De Wever A. (2014). Didžiulis V. (ed.). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2014 Annual Checklist". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ↑ Forest F, Nänni I, Chase MW, Crane PR, Hawkins JA (2007). "Diversification of a large genus in a continental biodiversity hotspot: Temporal and spatial origin of Muraltia (Polygalaceae) in the Cape of South Africa". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 43 (1): 60–74. Bibcode:2007MolPE..43...60F. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.017. PMID   17049279.
  4. 1 2 3 "Muraltia DC". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Fact sheet for Muraltia". Electronic Flora of South Australia. Government of South Africa. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  6. ↑ Hermanus Botanical Society. "Muraltia minuta". Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ Forest, Félix; Manning, John C. (2006). "Evidence for Inclusion of South African Endemic Nylandtia in Muraltia (Polygalaceae)". Systematic Botany. 31 (3): 525–532. doi:10.1600/036364406778388566. ISSN   0363-6445. JSTOR   25064182.
  8. ↑ "Flora of New South Wales" (112). Government Printer. 1978. Retrieved July 13, 2020.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ↑ "Muraltia". Flora of Victoria. Government of Victoria, Australia. Retrieved July 13, 2020.


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