Uncarina

Uncarina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Pedaliaceae
Genus: Uncarina
Stapf
Species

See text

Uncarina is a genus of semi-succulent flowering plants in the Pedaliaceae (the sesame family) found in Madagascar. As most species within the genus are inhabitants of dry, semi-arid or seasonally-dry regions, many mature into water-storing pachycauls, or "caudiciformes"—a common colloquial term to describe plants that normally inhabit drier climates and develop a large, woody base, or "foot", known as a caudex. In these species, a plant's lower half gradually accumulates and stores water (similarly to a camel's hump); over time, the caudex changes shape, swelling to an often impressive size, as it adds to its own moisture "reservoir" for future periods of drought. In addition to Uncarina, many other caudex-forming genera can be found on Madagascar as well as beyond, such as Adenium, Beaucarnea, Dioscorea, Euphorbia, Gerrardanthus, Pachypodium and Stephania, among others.

Etymology

[edit]

The genera name is derived from the Greek word unca meaning hook.[1]

Species

[edit]
Uncarina ankaranensis
Uncarina peltata

Species include:[2]

Image Scientific name Distribution
Uncarina abbreviata (Baill.) Ihlenf. & Straka Madagascar
Uncarina decaryi Humbert ex Ihlenf. Madagascar
Uncarina grandidieri (Baill.) Stapf Madagascar
Uncarina leandrii Humbert Madagascar
Uncarina leptocarpa (Decne.) Ihlenf. & Straka Madagascar
Uncarina peltata (Baker) Stapf Madagascar
Uncarina perrieri Humbert Madagascar
Uncarina roeoesliana Rauh Madagascar
Uncarina sakalava Humbert Madagascar
Uncarina stellulifera Humbert Madagascar
Uncarina turicana Lavranos Madagascar

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ib Friis and Olof Ryding (Editors) Biodiversity Research in the Horn of Africa Region: Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea at the Carlsberg Academy, Copenhagen, August 25–27, 1999 (2001), p. 65, at Google Books
  2. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved January 14, 2015.
[edit]