Calostemma

Calostemma
Calostemma luteum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Calostemma
R.Br.[1]
Species

See text

Calostemma is a small genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae[2]), commonly known as Wilcannia Lily. It consists of three species endemic to Australia, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitation.

Description

Members of Calostemma often flowers in a leafless state, the narrow, shining-green, strap-like leaves usually preceding flowering and reaching a length of 25–30 cm. Flower colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow.

Species

The list of Calostemma species, with their complete scientific name and authority, is given below.[3]

Uses

Due to their large and showy flowers, members of this genus are used as ornamental plants.

References

  1. Prodr.: 297 (1810).
  2. Stevens, P.F., Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Amaryllidoideae
  3. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. World Checklist of Monocotyledons: Calostemma . Accessed May 26, 2009.
  4. J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 22: 49 (2008).
  5. Bot. Mag. 46: t. 2101 (1819).
  6. Prodr.: 298 (1810).

Bibliography

External links