Stirtonia, a new genus of the tribe Podalyrieae (Leguminosae) from South Africa

Ben‐Erik ‐E van Wyk, Anne Lise Schutte

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The genus Stirtonia is described to accommodate three anomalous species, hitherto placed in Podalyria. The new genus differs from Podalyria mainly in the decussate (geminate) inflorescence structure (racemose in Podalyria), the yellow flower colour (purple, pink or white in Podalyria), the non‐fleshy rim‐aril of the seeds (seed aril invariably fleshy and collar‐like in Podalyria) and in the diagnostically different combination of quinolizidine alkaloids. The major alkaloidal metabolites are carboxylic acid esters of lupanine and virgiline, but these compounds are totally absent in Podalyria. The morphology of inflorescences, leaves, flowers and seeds are described and illustrated. Chromosome numbers (2n = 18) are reported for the first time. A formal taxonomic treatment of the three species, S. tayloriana, S. chrysantha and S. insignis, is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-325
Number of pages7
JournalNordic Journal of Botany
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Plant Science

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