Streptolirion

Streptolirion volubile
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Subfamily: Commelinoideae
Tribe: Trandescantieae
Genus: Streptolirion
Edgw.
Species: S. volubile
Binomial name
Streptolirion volubile
Edgw.

Streptolirion is a genus of climbing monocotyledonous flowering plants in the dayflower family. It consists of a single species, namely Streptolirion volubile. It has a broad distribution in Asia, from China's western Hubei Province as well as Korea and Japan in the northeast, south to Vietnam and west to India. Currently two subspecies are accepted: S. volubile subsp. volubile and S. volubile subsp. khasianum, with the latter being a stronger climber covered with erect brown hairs. Streptolirion can be distinguished from the closely related climber Spatholirion by the former's two-seeded carpels and inflorescences that are all subtended by large involucral bracts.[1] They bear yellow hairs below the anthers, which are believed to increase floral attraction by contrasting with the petals or suggesting additional pollen is present.[2] Despite the large range, an analysis of chromosomes found major differences between Japanese and Indian populations, suggesting that additional species may be yet unrecognized.[3]

References

  1. Hong, Deyuan; DeFillipps, Robert A. (2000), "Streptolirion", in Wu, Z. Y.; Raven, P.H.; Hong, D.Y., Flora of China 24, Beijing: Science Press; St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press, p. 20, retrieved 2008-01-28
  2. Faden, Robert B. (1992), "Floral Attraction and Floral Hairs in the Commelinaceae", Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 79 (1): 46–52, doi:10.2307/2399808
  3. Suda, Yutaka; Faden, Robert B. (1980), "The karyotype of Streptolirion volubile Edgeworth (Commelinaceae) from Japan", Journal of Plant Research 93: 355–359, doi:10.1007/bf02488739
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