Tricyrtis

Tricyrtis
Tricyrtis hirta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Calochortoideae
Genus: Tricyrtis
Wall.[1]
Type species
Tricyrtis maculata (D.Don) J.F.Macbr.
Synonyms[2]
  • Compsoa D.Don
  • Compsanthus Spreng.
  • Brachycyrtis Koidz.

Tricyrtis is a genus of Asian flowering plants in the lily family, with approximately 20 known species. The species are commonly known in English as toad lilies. The genus has a native range from the Himalayas to eastern Asia, including China,[3] Japan,[4] Philippines and Taiwan,[5] and a few species are cultivated for their ornamental qualities in other parts of the world.

Description

Tricyrtis are herbaceous perennials with creeping rhizomes. The stems are typically erect or maybe ascending, and sometimes branched from the middle to the top. The subsessile leaves are arranged alternately along the stems. The inflorescences are most commonly thyrse or thyrsoid, or rarely the flowers are arranged into a raceme. The showy, solitary flowers are bisexual. Perianth campanulate or trumpet-shaped with six free tepals arranged into two whorls: the outer whorl has nectar secreting pouches, while the inner whorl has upright tepals with dorsal crests.[6] The tepals are white or yellow with purplish spots, usually recurved or reflexed. The six stamens are inserted at base of the tepals, and the filaments are slightly flattened, forming a short tube. The anthers are dorsifixed. The three-loculed ovary have many ovules per locule. The styles are arranged into a column. The three-angled fruits are broadly cylindrical capsules and when ripe release many small, flat, ovate to orbicular shaped seeds.[3]

Taxonomy

The genus is subdivided into four sections, with about 20 species. Accepted species include;[2]

Cultivation

Tricyrtis species are perennial herbaceous plants that grow at the edge of forests. They prefer shade or part shade and rich, moist soil. Toad Lilies bloom in summer to fall. They are hardy enough to handle sudden changes of winter from mild to blustery cold.[8]

References

  1. Wallich 1824–1826, p. 61.
  2. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. 1 2 "Tricyrtis Wallich". Flora of China.
  4. Maki, Masayuki; Morita, Hiroko; Oiki, Syuji; Takahashi, Hiroshi (1999). "The Effect of Geographic Range and Dichogamy on Genetic Variability and Population Genetic Structure in Tricyrtis Section Flavae (Liliaceae)". American Journal of Botany (Botanical Society of America) 86 (2): 287–292. doi:10.2307/2656945. JSTOR 2656945. PMID 21680367.
  5. George Schmid, W. (2002). An encyclopedia of shade perennials. Portland, Or.: Timber Press. p. 312. ISBN 0-88192-549-7.
  6. Ronse De Craene. Floral Diagrams: An Aid to Understanding Flower Morphology and Evolution. Cambridge University Press. pp. 105–. ISBN 978-1-139-48455-8.
  7. 1 2 Masayuki Maki, Hiroko Morita, Syuji Oiki and Hiroshi Takahashi. 1999. The effect of geographic range and dichogamy on genetic variability and population genetic structure in Tricyrtis section Flavae (Liliaceae). Am J. Bot. 86: 287-292.
  8. Cox, Jeff (1998 by Rodale Press) Perennial All-Stars: The 150 Best Perennials for Great-Looking, Trouble-Free Gardens, pg. 305

Bibliography

Wikispecies has information related to: Tricyrtis
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tricyrtis.


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, December 06, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.