| Pancratium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pancratium maritimum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Amaryllidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Amaryllidoideae |
| Genus: | Pancratium Dill. ex L. |
| Type species | |
| Pancratium maritimum L. [1] | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
List
| |
Pancratium is a genus of African and Eurasian perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae [3] [4] [5]
Pancratium are perennial, bulbous, herbs [6] with long-necked bulbs [7] and linear or ligulate, basal, sessile leaves. [6]
The flowers are large, white and fragrant. The perianth tube and the corona are present. It differs from the similar Hymenocallis in its numerous seeds with a thin black skin. [8] The loculicidal capsule fruit [7] bears black, glossy seeds. [9]
It was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The lectotype species Pancratium maritimum L. was designated in 1918. [1] It is placed in the tribe Pancratieae. [12]
The name Pancratium is derived from the Greek and means "all-strength", probably referring to the strength of a plant that can tolerate extreme climates. Pancratium species often inhabit extremely dry and sandy areas. [13]
Many species have been published using the name Pancratium, but most have been transferred to other genera (Clinanthus , Hymenocallis , Ismene, Proiphys and Stenomesson ). [2] Only a few species are cultivated. P. maritimum and P. illyricum being the hardiest for outdoor cultivation, but shy flowering in cool areas. P. zeylanicum is sometimes grown as a hothouse container plant.[ citation needed ]
As of June 2023 [update] , Plants of the World Online of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew accepted 24 species in the genus: [2]
Additionally, further species have been recently described:
It is native to Africa, the Mediterranean, and Malesia. It has been introduced to the Azores, Bermuda, the Comoros, Great Britain, and the USA. [2]
Pancratium tenuifolium and Pancratium maritimum is pollinated by the moth species Agrius convolvuli . [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] In Pancratium maritimum pollination by bees, namely Xylocopa violacea , Apis mellifera , and Anthophora bimaculata , has also been reported. [20] However, it has been stated that bees are not effective pollinators of this species and that it fully depends on hawkmoths for effective pollination. [21]
The moth species Brithys crini feeds on Pancratium maritimum in the larval stage. [22]
Pancratium zeylanicum is commonly cultivated in Asia. [23]
Plants belonging to the genus Pancratium have been found in prehistoric Cretan frescoes. [24]
