Catoferia is a small genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae composed of only four species. The majority of the species in this genus are confined to southern Mexico, with one species (Catoferia chiapensis) being recorded from Central America, Colombia and Peru in addition to southern Mexico. The beginning of this genus has been traced back to the Cretaceous era, making the genus around 55 to 65 million years old.[2][3][4]

Catoferia
Catoferia chiapensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Ocimeae
Genus: Catoferia
(Benth.) Benth.
Type species
Catoferia capitata
(Benth.) Hemsl.[1]

Description

edit

The shrub can usually be identified by its flower's exaggerated, protruding stamens and very large, circular sepals (the outer layer surrounding the petal). Petals belonging to plants of this genome typically curve inwards, the species are very similar to the genus Orthosiphon. Shrubs in this group are usually 0.5 and 2 meters tall, with a stem thickness of approximately 3mm. They may also carry spikes ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 centimeters.[5]

Taxonomy

edit

Catoferia was first named and described in full by George Bentham in 1876.

Species

edit

As of 2023, Plants of the World Online accepts four species of Catoferia.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ lectotype designated by Epling, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 85: 320 (1937) .
  2. ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew".
  3. ^ Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2012. Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. 4(2): i–xvi, 1–533. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
  4. ^ Nelson Sutherland, C.H. (2008). Catálogo de las plantes vasculares de Honduras. Espermatofitas: 1-1576. SERNA/Guaymuras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
  5. ^ Ramamoorthy, T. P. (1 January 1986). "A Revision of Catoferia (Labiatae)". Kew Bulletin. 41 (2): 299–305. doi:10.2307/4102933. JSTOR 4102933.
  6. ^ "Catoferia". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  7. ^ García-Mendoza, A. J. & J. Meave del Castillo. 2011. Diversidad Florística de Oaxaca: de Musgos a Angispermas 1–351. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria