Galtonia

Last updated

Galtonia
Galtonia candicans 20070810-1335-175.jpg
Galtonia candicans
(syn. Ornithogalum candicans)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Scilloideae
Tribe: Ornithogaleae
Genus: Galtonia
Decne. [1] [2]
Type species
Galtonia candicans [notes 1]
Species

See text

Synonyms [4]

Hyacinthus Baker
Ornithogalum subgenus Galtonia(Decne.) J.C. Manning & Goldblatt

Contents

First page of Decaisne's description, 1880 Decaisnes Galtonia.png
First page of Decaisne's description, 1880
Galtonia princeps (Ornithogalum princeps), Curtis's Botanical Magazine 1914) Galtonia princeps 140-8533.jpg
Galtonia princeps (Ornithogalum princeps), Curtis's Botanical Magazine 1914)

Galtonia is a genus of plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. Native to Southern Africa, the genus is named after Sir Francis Galton. According to some authorities it has been subsumed into Ornithogalum as a subgenus, while others prefer to keep it as a separate genus.

Description

These are large, vigorous perennial bulbous geophytes, with numerous wide (>5 cm) and large tapering glabrous leaves that ascend and sheathe the stem. The inflorescences are racemose, and conical or cylindrical, but sometimes corymbose. They bear nodding (rarely erect) flowers with fleshy white or greenish yellow tepals that are fused (rarely free) into a campanulate (bell like) tube that extends about half the length of the flower, but are never fragrant. The bracts are membranous and linear-acuminate, while bracteoles are absent. The pedicels are patent The Stamens, which are hidden amongst the perianth lobes where they are inserted at the base have ovate-acuminate (oval, tapering to a point at one end) filaments that are cylindrical and adnate to the perianth tube, merged at its end (occasionally free). The ovary may be black, green or yellow and or ovoid or cylindrical. The style is filiform (thread like) and white, with a stigma that is glandular and somewhat trilobed.

The fruit capsule is lanceolate, cylindrical or ovate and acute, and wider in its basal third. The capsule is triangular in section with blunt edges and bears seeds that are large and polygonal or irregularly flattened and biseriate. The seed testa is engraved into a puzzle like pattern. The globose bulbs have soft membranous tunics. Chromosome numbers: 2n=16 (12, 14 in G. saundersiae). [3] [5]

Taxonomy

Galtonia was first described as a new genus within Liliaceae in 1880 by Joseph Decaisne, [1] [2] and appeared the following year in the 1881 Kew Gardens report. [6] He describes two species, G. candicans (Hyacinthus candicans Baker [7] ) and G. princeps (Hyacinthus princeps Baker [8] ), which are listed in an 1884 text. [9] These were reassignments of two of Baker's species of Hyacinthus , which he distinguished as sufficiently different to justify forming a new genus, with G. candicans the type species. [10]

By the 1870s, as Baker describes in his revision of the family, [11] the taxonomy of Liliaceae had become vast and complicated. Baker had placed the two species of Galtonia, which at that time he considered to be Hyacinthus in the tribe Hyacintheae, [12] one of eight tribes that he divided the Liliaceae into. Later in the 1880s, Galtonia with its two species was included as a district and separate genus in two influential taxonomic systems. In the United Kingdom Bentham and Hooker published their volume on the Liliaceae in Latin in 1883. [13] Bentham and Hooker divided it into 20 tribes and placed Galtonia in the tribe Scilleae with 19 other genera. [14] In the German literature the taxonomic system of Engler completed its classification of Liliaceae in 1888. [15] He divided the family into twelve subfamilies and subordinate tribes. Galtonia was then placed in the subfamily Lilioideae and tribe Scilleae together with 21 other genera. [16]

In 1955 a third species, G. viridiflora, [17] was described, followed by G. regalis in 1986. [18] For a graphical history of its circumscription, see Manning et al. 2009 Table 1. [4] and Martinez-Azorin et al. Table 2. [3] Various efforts were made during the twentieth century to dismember the Liliaceae, culminating in the separation of the higher orders, Asparagales and Liliales, and the emergence of Asparagaceae as a separate family, in which the Scilleae, including Galtonia, were now the Scilloideae subfamily. Galtonia is one of the genera in the tribe Ornithogaleae, the largest tribe within the subfamily Scilloideae. [19] Historically it was treated as part of the subfamily Ornithogaloideae of Hyacinthaceae, now obsolete terms. The preferred treatment being to consider the Hyacinthaceae as subfamily Scilloideae of Asparagaceae. [20] [21] The original subfamilies within Hyacinthaceae becoming tribes of subfamily Scilloideae. Thus subfamily Ornithogaloideae became tribe Ornithogaleae. [19] [3] The precise taxonomy of the Ornithogaloideae/Ornithogaleae has been problematic since at least the time of Linnaeus. [22] [23] [notes 2]

Phylogenetics

Phylogenetic analysis utilising plastid gene sequencing (trnL-F) brought some new clarity to the complex and controversial taxonomy of subfamily Scilloideae, with Pfosser and Speta (1999) demonstrating that the Ornithogaloideae/Ornithogaleae were one of four major clades within the subfamily. [23] This clade also demonstrated two subclades, Ornithogaleae and Dipcadieae (which included Galtonia). Further work by Manning et al. [24] did not support the concept of these subclades and subsumed all of the subfamily Scilloideae into the genus Ornithogalum with about 300 species. At the same time they pointed out the historical importance of Galtonia and its distinct floral characteristics and horticultural importance. In considering the circumscription of Galtonia, they pointed out that the genus was paraphyletic unless it included Ornithogalum saundersiae, but to include it created problems of morphological circumscription.

This sensu lato reduction of Speta's fourteen genera [25] into one was not widely accepted, even though they were polyphyletic, and had a number of problems. (This also had the effect of eliminating Galtonia as a genus, under which a number of Ornithogalum species are still sold.) [3]

Further analysis with wider sampling (70 compared to 40 taxa) and an additional plastid region (matK) revealed the presence of three clades (A, B and C) within Ornithogaleae/Ornithogalum. Consequently, a new classification was proposed with three tribes and four genera, Ornithogalum corresponding to Clade C, was placed in tribe Ornithogaleae, but further subdivided into four subgenera and further sections, with 160 species. Thus three of Speta's other thirteen genera were resurrected. [4] [3] Galtonia on the other hand was retained as a taxon but as a subgenus of Ornithogalum with seven species.

Subsequently, an alternative approach was suggested combining plastid gene sequences with nuclear DNA sequences, morphology and biogeography. [3] This supported Manning et al.'s Clade C within which Ornithogalum was contained, but the very large subgenus Ornithogalum was noted to still be heterogeneous, an issue which those authors had managed by treating the subgenus in seven sections. In contrast Martinez-Azorin et al. suggested reversing the sensu lato (lumping) approach of Manning et al., reverting to separate genera (splitting), thus resurrecting Galtonia and eighteen other genera.

As of April 2015 the sensu lato approach of Manning et al. (2009) is still in use by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families . [26] [notes 3]

Subdivision

Manning et al. (2009) [4] reconstructed Galtonia as a subgenus of Ornithogalum, but with two sections and a type species of O. candicans;

Species

The number of species has varied from four to seven.

The traditional four species were; [27] [23]

and these were transferred to Ornithogalum by Manning et al. (2004). [24] When reconstructed as a subgenus there were seven species;

In the system of Martinez-Azorin et al. (2011) [3] the original four species (Galtonia sensu stricto) are maintained, together with Galtonia saundersiae(Baker) Mart.-Azorín, M.B.Crespo & Juan as the fifth species, while the two species of section Xanthochlora, a sister clade, are transferred to a separate genus— Ethesia .

As of April 2015 The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families lists six species with their preferred synonyms; [26]

Etymology

The genus Galtonia was named by Decaisne after Sir Francis Galton, who had published his account of his travels in South Africa. [28] [29]

Distribution and habitat

The species of Galtonia sensu stricto are distributed in the high precipitation summer rainfall, high-altitude areas of the Drakensberg, Low Drakensberg, Southern Berg and Natal Midlands of the eastern provinces of South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape) and Lesotho. [3] [30]

Uses

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ There are inconsistencies in the typification. Decaisnes originally designated G. candicans as the type species. Manning et al. (2004) give G. princeps as the type, (Manning et al. 2004) but in 2009 give O. candicans as the type for subgenus Galtonia. (Manning, J.C., Forest, F., Devey, D.S., Fay, M.F. & Goldblatt, P. 2009) Martinez-Azorin et al. revert to G. princeps [3]
  2. ↑ For a discussion of the early taxonomic history of Galtonia and related genera, see Pfosser and Speta ( Pfosser & Speta 1999 )
  3. ↑ The Plant List lists Galtonia with one species (G. viridiflorum), ( The Plant List 2013 ) citing Tropicos as its source. The latter lists five species, by including G. clavata. ( Tropicos 2015 ) The discrepancy may arise from the fact that G. viridiflora appears twice in the Tropicos list, using two separate but similarly sounding authority abbreviations, Verdc. and I.Verd., while The Plant List gives both entries with only one listed as 'accepted'. ( The Plant List 2013 , Galtonia viridiflora ) The correct attribution is I.Verd. (Inez Verdoorn)

Related Research Articles

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

Scilla is a genus of about 30 to 80 species of bulb-forming perennial herbaceous plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. Sometimes called the squills in English, they are native to woodlands, subalpine meadows, and seashores throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. A few species are also naturalized in Australasia and North America. Their flowers are usually blue, but white, pink, and purple types are known; most flower in early spring, but a few are autumn-flowering. Several Scilla species are valued as ornamental garden plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scilloideae</span> Subfamily of bulbous monocot plants

Scilloideae is a subfamily of bulbous plants within the family Asparagaceae. Scilloideae is sometimes treated as a separate family Hyacinthaceae, named after the genus Hyacinthus. Scilloideae or Hyacinthaceae include many familiar garden plants such as Hyacinthus (hyacinths), Hyacinthoides (bluebells), Muscari and Scilla and Puschkinia. Some are important as cut flowers.

<i>Ornithogalum</i> Genus of perennial bulbous plants in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae

Ornithogalum is a genus of perennial plants mostly native to southern Europe and southern Africa belonging to the family Asparagaceae. Some species are native to other areas such as the Caucasus. Some species are classified as noxious invasive weeds in some portions of North America. Growing from a bulb, species have linear basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 30 cm tall, bearing clusters of typically white star-shaped flowers, often striped with green. The common name of the genus, star-of-Bethlehem, is based on its star-shaped flowers, after the Star of Bethlehem that appears in the biblical account of the birth of Jesus. The number of species has varied considerably, depending on authority, from 50 to 300.

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

Ledebouria is a genus of African bulbous perennial herbs in the Asparagus family, Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. Most members were previously part of the genus Scilla. A number of species are grown by cacti and succulent enthusiasts for their patterned leaves.

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

Massonia is a genus of bulbous perennial flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is native to southern Africa, and is found in localities such as Namaqualand with hot and dry summers, being dormant in summer and growing during winter. The genus Whiteheadia has been merged into Massonia. It is classed as a cryptophyte.

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

Albuca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. The genus is distributed mainly in southern and eastern Africa, with some species occurring in northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Plants of the genus are known commonly as slime lilies.

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

Drimia is a genus of African, south European and south Asian flowering plants. In the APG IV classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. When broadly circumscribed, the genus includes a number of other genera previously treated separately, including Litanthus, Rhodocodon, Schizobasis and Urginea.

<i>Ornithogalum candicans</i> Species of plant

Ornithogalum candicans, known as the summer hyacinth, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to moist grassland in South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 100–120 cm (39–47 in), with strap-shaped leaves and white snowdrop-like flowers in late summer. It is still widely referenced under its synonym Galtonia candicans. Originally it had been designated as Hyacinthus candicans, by Baker in 1870.

<i>Scilla litardierei</i> Species of flowering plant

Scilla litardierei, the amethyst meadow squill or Dalmatian scilla, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. A bulbous perennial, with blue grape-hyacinth like flowers, blooming in late spring, much later than the more popular Siberian squill and later than Muscari which it resembles.

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

Barnardia is a small genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. The genus has two species, one found in the Balearic Islands and north-west Africa, the other in east China, Korea, Japan and adjacent localities. It was suggested in 2012 that the two species were not closely related.

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

Dipcadi is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is widely distributed, occurring in southern Europe, most of Africa and the Middle East through to the Indian subcontinent.

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

Fusifilum is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is distributed in southern Africa. Some sources consider that all the species should be placed in the genus Drimia.

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

Merwilla is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is distributed in southern Africa, from Zimbabwe to South Africa. This genus is named after the botanist Frederick Ziervogel Van der Merwe (1894–1968), who worked on this group.

<i>Prospero</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants

Prospero is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is distributed in Europe, around the Mediterranean, and through the Middle East to the Caucasus.

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

Pseudogaltonia is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is distributed in southern Africa.

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

Pseudoprospero is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. The genus has a single species Pseudoprospero firmifolium, which is endemic to South Africa.

<i>Albuca shawii</i> Species of flowering plant

Albuca shawii is a species of bulbous plant from southern Africa. It flowers in the summer and has yellow flowers on stems to about 30 cm high.

<i>Ornithogalum broteroi</i> Species of spring flowering bulb in family Asparagaceae

Ornithogalum broteroi, a species of the genus Ornithogalum, is a perennial bulbous flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is classed in the Cathissa group of the genus. It bears white flowers and usually a single leaf. It is found in open woods and pastures in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula and also Morocco.

References

  1. 1 2 Plant Name Details for Galtonia Decne . Retrieved 2018-02-28.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Decaisne 1880.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Martinez-Azorin et al. 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Manning, J.C., Forest, F., Devey, D.S., Fay, M.F. & Goldblatt, P. 2009.
  5. ↑ Walters & Cullen 1986, King Galtonia p. 128.
  6. ↑ Hooker 1882, pp.8–9.
  7. ↑ Saunders 1870, Baker Hyacinthus candicans p. 174.
  8. ↑ Saunders 1870, Baker Hyacinthus princeps p. 175.
  9. ↑ Just 1884, p. 874.
  10. ↑ Britten 1880, Extracts and Notices of Books & Memoirs p. 187.
  11. ↑ Baker 1871.
  12. ↑ Baker 1871, Hyacinthus: H. candicans, H. princeps pp. 425–426.
  13. ↑ Bentham & Hooker 1883.
  14. ↑ Bentham & Hooker 1883, Liliaceae; Scilleae Galtonia p. 809.
  15. ↑ Engler & Prantl 1888.
  16. ↑ Engler & Prantl 1888, Engler Liliaceae: Galtonia p. 65.
  17. 1 2 Verdoorn 1955.
  18. 1 2 Hilliard & Burtt 1986.
  19. 1 2 Stevens 2015, Ornithogaleae.
  20. ↑ APG III 2009.
  21. ↑ Chase et al. 2009.
  22. ↑ Stedje 1989.
  23. 1 2 3 Pfosser & Speta 1999.
  24. 1 2 Manning et al. 2004.
  25. ↑ Speta 1998.
  26. 1 2 WCLSPF 2015.
  27. ↑ Hilliard & Burtt 1988.
  28. ↑ Klopper 2005.
  29. ↑ Galton 1853.
  30. ↑ eMonocot 2014.

Bibliography

Historical sources

Databases

Searches

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.