Baeometra

Baeometra uniflora is the only species of the genus within the family of Baeometra Timeless plants ( Colchicaceae ). It is endemic in the Capensis.

• 5.1 Notes and references

Description and Synecology

Appearance and leaf

Baeometra uniflora grows as a deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the stature heights of up to 25 cm. This Geophyt forms as a storage organ underground, asymmetrically ovate with a height of up to 30 cm tubers of which are covered with a dark brown, leathery tunic. In spring new aboveground plant parts are formed.

Most five to eight sedentary, stipes broad leaves are present; these are the base of the stem and spread in a fan -like manner. The simple leaf blades are narrow, linear - lanceolate and rinnig.

Inflorescence, flowering and pollination

The flowering time is in South Africa from August to October. In a racemose or aged men, zymösen inflorescence are one to five almost upright, seated until shortly stalked flowers together. The linear - lanceolate wrong, pfriemförmigen or filamentary cover pages are missing upwards gradually smaller and the top of the flower.

The non- fragrant hermaphrodite flowers are radial symmetry and threefold. The six equally diverse, free bracts are more or less erect to spread, are funnel-shaped together and wilt rapidly after anthesis. The 3-12 mm long nailed upside - lanceolate bracts are at a length of 15 to 28 mm. The colors of the bracts ranging from sulfur yellow to orange in color with a dark maroon base, the Saftmal; they are red on the outside. At the bloom cladding no nectaries are present. There are two circles, each with three stamens present. The inserted at the top of Blütenhüllblattnagels stamens are about 3 mm long and dark chestnut - colored. The 2-4 mm long anthers are yellow. Three carpels are fused into one with a length of 7 to 10 mm cylindrical, three-lobed ovary. The ovary chamber many ovules are present. The three short, hook-shaped scars are about 0.5 mm long.

The flowers close up at night or in gloomy weather and can only be opened fully at full, bright sunshine. Then her bright flower color and the contrasting, dark Saftmal is particularly clear. Pollination is by beetles of the tribe Hopliini within the scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae ); hence the common name " Lily Beetle " ( English) and " Kewerlelie " ( Afrikaans ). The short scar and the absence of nectar are adaptations to these pollinators.

Fruit and seeds

The woody, with a length of 3 to 5 cm relatively long, cylindrical fruit capsules open only at the top and split up between the fruit lobes. The brown seeds are almost spherical, but edged by the narrowness in the capsule fruit.

Chromosome number

The basic chromosome number is x = 11

Occurrence

Baeometra uniflora occurs only in the southwestern part of South Africa's Western Cape province. Their range extends from near Tulbagh eastward to Riversdale. It thrives in winter rainfall areas.

Baeometra uniflora occurs in relatively individual- rich stocks. It thrives best in open, seasonally marshy or water-bearing sites on clayey or loamy soils. Often, you will Baeometra uniflora something disturbed habitats, such as along roads and roadsides and in meadows. Usually they are found at lower elevations in humid, temperate locations and rarely, if ever there is in these areas during the growing season frost.

In the Red List of endangered species in South Africa Baeometra uniflora is listed. An assessment of the risk of this is endemic but not before.

Baeometra uniflora is an invasive plant in Western Australia and its spread is controlled.

System

The first publication was in 1791 under the name ( basionym ) Melanthium uniflorum by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin in Collectanea, 4, pp. 100 was the new combination to Baeometra uniflora 1941 Gwendoline Joyce Lewis in Journal of South African Botany, Volume 7, page 59 the only species of the genus Baeometra reactivated. Richard Anthony Salisbury presented 1812 Baeometra genus with the only kind Baeometra columellaris Salisb. on - without knowing that this species was already described. The genus name is derived Baeometra from the Greek words baios for small and metron measure for from, this refers to the size of the plant. The specific epithet means uniflora flowered. Synonyms for Baeometra uniflora ( Jacq. ) GJLewis are: Kolbea uniflora ( Jacq. ) Harv, Melanthium aethiopicum Desr, Melanthium flavum Sm, Epionix flava Raf, Raf Epionix rubra, Baeometra breyniana Baill. .. .. nom. illeg. Synonyms for Baeometra Salisb. ex Endl. are Kolbea Schltdl. and Epionix Raf.

Baeometra uniflora is the only species of the genus Baeometra from the tribe Anguillarieae D.Don within the family Colchicaceae; it was formerly classified in the tribe Baeometreae and also in the family Liliaceae.

Use

Baeometra uniflora is used as an ornamental plant. It forms quickly stocks on roadsides and on lawns.

Swell

• John C. Manning, Peter Goldblatt & Dee Snijman: The color encyclopedia of Cape bulbs, Timber Press, Portland and Cambridge, 2002, ISBN 0-88192-547-0. Baeometra on page 90-91 (Sections Description, distribution and systematics )
• Graham Duncan, 2006: Sander aurantiaca Hook. PlantZAfrica at the South African National Biodiversity Institute = SANBI. (Sections Description, distribution and systematics)
• John Manning: Field guide to wildflowers of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, 487 pages, Struik Nature, Cape Town 2009, ISBN 978-1-77007-758-4.