Gonatopus (plant)
Genus of flowering plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gonatopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, consisting of five species.[1] This genus is native to and southeastern Africa[1] and is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas.[2]
| Gonatopus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gonatopus boivinii in cultivation | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Zamioculcadoideae |
| Genus: | Gonatopus Engl.[1] |
| Species | |
|
See here | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Gonatopus are terrestrial,[3] rhizomatous or tuberous,[3][4] seasonally dormant herbs[5] with large, solitary[6] mostly petiolate, or rarely decurrent leaves.[3]
Generative characteristics
The plant bears 1–4 inflorescences.[4] The unisexual flowers have four fleshy tepals.[3] The stigma is capitate.[6] The orange, red, yellow, or white, ovoid to ellipsoid berry bears 1–2 ovoid to ellipsoid seeds.[4]
Taxonomy
It was described by Adolf Engler in 1879.[6][1] It is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas.[2]
Species
It has five species:[1]
- Gonatopus angustus N.E.Br.
- Gonatopus boivinii (Decne.) Engl.
- Gonatopus clavatus Mayo
- Gonatopus marattioides (Peter) Bogner
- Gonatopus petiolulatus (Peter) Bogner
Cultivation
The most commonly found Gonatopus species in private collections and botanical gardens is Gonatopus boivinii.[2] Its common name giraffe's knees[7][8][9] is derived from the resemblance of the swollen part of the petiole with the knee of a giraffe.[8][10] Since Gonatopus boivinii is tropical in origin,[10] it may be grown as an indoor plant.[8] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant,[11] and may display mottled and spotted colouration on the leaves and the inflorescence.[9] The plants should be kept warm,[8] and in filtered light or light shade.[8][12] After the growing season, the tubers can be stored outside of the soil.[8]
