Spermatophyta: Monocotyledonae: Asparagales

Eriospermaceae

Perry, P.L. (1994) A revision of the genus Eriospermum (Eriospermaceae) Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium, no. 17 University of Cape Town

Perry, P.L. (2010) Eriospermaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(2) 1-13

Description of the family

Perennial herbs, with one or more tubers. Leaves 1 to several, present at flowering time or appearing after flowering; lamina linear to lanceolate, ovate or circular, with a distinct petiole-like base. Peduncle erect, unbranched. Inflorescence a simple raceme. Pedicels articulated at apex. Flowers actinomorphic. Tepals (in ours) ± equal in size and shape, mainly whitish to yellow. Stamens 6. Ovary superior, 3-locular. Capsule emarginate, loculicidally dehiscent, 3-valved. Seeds covered in long white silky hairs.

Comment: The genus Eriospermum, included by us under Eriospermaceae, is nowadays often placed together with Dracaenaceae, Ruscaceae, Nolinaceae and Convallariaceae as Subfamily Nolinoideae under Asparagaceae. However, we have followed the more traditional treatment for the time being.

Worldwide: 1 genus and c. 100 species in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malawi: 1 genus and 3 taxa.

Eriospermum flagelliforme

Links to genera:     View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this family

GenusContent
Eriospermum Jacq. ex Willd.Description, Image

Other sources of information about Eriospermaceae:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Mozambique: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Zambia: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Zimbabwe: Eriospermaceae

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Eriospermaceae
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Eriospermaceae
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Eriospermaceae
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Eriospermaceae
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Eriospermaceae
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Eriospermaceae
JSTOR Plant Science: Eriospermaceae
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Eriospermaceae
Wikipedia: Eriospermaceae
Plants of the World Online: Eriospermaceae
Tropicos: Eriospermaceae



Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Malawi: Family page: Eriospermaceae.
https://www.malawiflora.com/speciesdata/family.php?family_id=84, retrieved 4 October 2024

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