Calostemma
Encyclopedia
Calostemma is a small genus
of herbaceous
, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae). It consists in 3 species
endemic to Australia
, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitations. They are known as "Wilcannia Lily".
of six to eighteen flowers on a scape
, 20-50 cm high. Flower
colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow. Each trumpet-shaped flower is held on a long, thin pedicel
and is about 2 cm long.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of herbaceous
Herbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllidoideae is the subfamily of flowering plants that takes its name from the genus Amaryllis. It is part of the family Amaryllidaceae, in order Asparagales...
, subfamily Amaryllidoideae). It consists in 3 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
endemic to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitations. They are known as "Wilcannia Lily".
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. Blooms are borne in an umbelUmbel
An umbel is an inflorescence which consists of a number of short flower stalks which are equal in length and spread from a common point, somewhat like umbrella ribs....
of six to eighteen flowers on a scape
Scape
In biology, the term scape may refer to:* The first segment of an insect antenna* A finger-like appendage of the epigyne of a female spider* Scape , a flowering stemScape may also refer to:...
, 20-50 cm high. Flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow. Each trumpet-shaped flower is held on a long, thin pedicel
Pedicel (botany)
A pedicel is a stem that attaches single flowers to the main stem of the inflorescence. It is the branches or stalks that hold each flower in an inflorescence that contains more than one flower....
and is about 2 cm long.
Species
The list of Calostemma species, with their complete scientific name and authority, is given below.- Calostemma abdicatum P.J.Lang, distributed in South AustraliaSouth AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. - Calostemma luteum SimsSIMS- Last name :* Andrew Sims, American rapper, member of the Doomtree collective* Ashton Sims, Australian rugby league footballer* Charles Sims , British painter* Christopher A. Sims, American economist* Ernie Sims, NFL linebacker...
, from Center QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
to South Australia. - Calostemma purpureumCalostemma purpureumCalostemma purpureum, known by its common name of Garland Lily, is a long-lived perennial flowering plant that is native to Southern Australia. Closely related to the common daffodil, Garland Lillies were once common in large colonies in grassy areas, in particular the plain on which the city of...
R.Br., South Central and South Eastern Australia.