Calostemma is a small genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae[2]), commonly known as Wilcannia Lily. It consists of three species endemic to Australia, where they are distributed in arid regions with summer precipitation.

Calostemma
Calostemma luteum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Calostemma
R.Br.[1]
Species

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Description

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Members of Calostemma often flower in a leafless state, the narrow, shining-green, strap-like leaves usually preceding flowering and reaching a length of 25–30 cm. Flower colour is a purplish red or yellow with a tube sometimes paler and the anthers yellow.

Species

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The list of Calostemma species, with their complete scientific name and authority, is given below.[3]

Uses

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Due to their large and showy flowers, members of this genus are used as ornamental plants.

References

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  1. ^ Prodr.: 297 (1810).
  2. ^ Stevens, P.F., Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Amaryllidoideae
  3. ^ Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. World Checklist of Monocotyledons: Calostemma . Accessed May 26, 2009.
  4. ^ J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 22: 49 (2008).
  5. ^ Bot. Mag. 46: t. 2101 (1819).
  6. ^ Prodr.: 298 (1810).

Bibliography

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  • Cooper, H.M. 1971. Notes and observations on Calostemma purpureum. S. Austral. Nat. 45(4): 112–114.
  • Clark, T., Parsons, R.F. 1994. Ecology of Calostemma and Crinum (Amaryllidaceae) in the River Murray area, south-eastern Australia. Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria 106: 129–145.
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