Hexapterella
| Hexapterella | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hexapterella | ||||||||||||
| Urb. |
Hexapterella is a genus of mykoheterotrophic , leaf-greenless plants fromthe Burmanniaceae family . The genus contains two species that are native to northeastern South America.
description
Hexapterella are upright and herbaceous species and reach heights of between 5 and 21 centimeters. They do not carry out photosynthesis , but live parasitically on mycorrhizae and are completely dependent on them for their nutrition. The leaves are extremely reduced.
The flower stalks are purple and mostly unbranched, the inflorescences bifurcated coils with 2 to 6 flowers each or rarely terminal individual flowers. Bracts are available. The flowers are stalked and have a white to purple base color. Six wings run along the flower tube to the ovary .
The plants form capsule fruits , the seeds are brown and round to ovoid.
distribution
Hexapterella steyermarkii is only found in the Venezuelan region of Guiana, Hexapterella gentianoides in large parts of northeastern South America. They can be found at altitudes from sea level to 1800 m.
Systematics and botanical history
The genus contains two types:
- Hexapterella gentianoides Urb.
- Hexapterella steyermarkii Maas & H. Maas
Hexapterella was first described in 1903 by Ignaz Urban based on Hexapterella gentianoides , the genus name refers to the six wings of the flower, which are a characteristic and diagnostic feature. The genus was monotypical until 1989, when Hexapterella steyermarkii was first described by the Dutch couple Maas.
proof
- PJM Maas, H. Maas-van de Kamer, J. van Bentham, HCM Snelders, T. Rübsamen: Burmanniaceae , Flora Neotropica, Monogr. 42: 1-189, 1986
- PJM Maas, H. Maas: Hexapterella steyermarkii P. Maas & H. Maas, sp. nov. , in: Julian A. Steyermark; Bruce K. Holst (Ed.): Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana-VII Contributions to the Flora of the Cerro Aracamuni, Venezuela , in: Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden , 76: 4, 1989, pp. 956-958