Chelonanthus

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett. 1989. The Botany of the Guayana Highland- Part XIII. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 51: 1-127.

  • Family

    Gentianaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Chelonanthus

  • Description

    Genus Description - Gilg (1895) originally proposed the application of Chelonanthus generically, limited to species with tetrad pollen. Maas (1985) has placed the entire genus into synonymy with Irlbachia. Gilg's original delimitation oi Chelonanthus is adopted here. The "Gray Card Index" lists 21 binomials for the genus; "Index Kewensis" lists 22. Neither of these listings represent a grouping of homogeneity or necessarily close relationship. It is perhaps best, for the purpose of this review, to consider that all species not of the "chelonioides" pollen type, as indicated by Nilsson (1970), be excluded from Chelonanthus. Exomorphologically, the species then so admitted into the genus are reasonably held together by ampliate, ventricose flowers, secund on an often 2-branched symmetrical inflorescence, and an herbaceous perennial habit. Pollen, in the genus so restricted, are formed

  • Discussion

    Lisyanthus Aublet, Hist. Pl. Guiane 1: 204. 1775, pro parte.

    Lisyanthus sectio III. Chelonanthus Grisebach, Gen. & Sp. Gentianeamm, 180. 1839.

    Lisianthus sectio III. Chelonanthus Grisebach in D C , Prodromus 9: 75. 1845, pro parte.