Geosiris aphylla
| earth-iris | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Subfamily: | Geosiridoideae Goldblatt & J.C.Manning |
| Genus: | Geosiris |
| Binomial name | |
| Geosiris aphylla Baillon | |
Geosiris aphylla is a species in the Iridaceae family of flowering plants, first described in 1894. It is endemic to Madagascar.[1]
Geosiris aphylla is sometimes called the "earth-iris". It is a small myco-heterotroph lacking chlorophyll and obtaining its nutrients from fungi in the soil.[2]
Its rhizomes are slender and scaly, and stems are simple or branched. The leaves are alternate, but having no use, are reduced and scale-like (hence the epithet "aphylla," meaning "without leaves"). The flowers are light purple.
References
- ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ↑ Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2008). The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 96–98. ISBN 0-88192-897-6.