Gethyllis

Gethyllis (probably from Greek "gethyon", bulb), commonly called Kukumakranka, Koekemakranka, or Kroekemakrank, is a genus of bulbous plant in the Amaryllid family with some 33 accepted species.. It is native to the Sandveld of the Cape Province and Transvaal and Orange Free State of South Africa, as well as from Botswana and Namibia.[2]

Kukumakranka
Gethyllis ciliaris[lower-alpha 1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Tribe: Haemantheae
Genus: Gethyllis
L.[1]
Type species
Gethyllis afra
Synonyms[2]
  • Abapus Adans.
  • Papiria Thunb.
  • Klingia Schönland

Description

The fragrant, solitary, white flower appears at Christmas-time. Flowering is well-synchronised to increase the odds of cross-pollination, the genus being incapable of self-fertilisation. Triggering of mass flowering is thought to result from a sudden change in barometric pressure. Some three months later the edible, scented creamy-white to orange-yellow to rich burgundy-red, club-shaped fruit starts pushing above the soil surface. The inferior ovary is located well below ground-level where the developing fruit or berry is hidden until its growth forces it into view. Emergence of the fruit is followed almost immediately by the first leaves. The ripe fruit falls over and sheds its short-lived seeds, ready to take advantage of the winter rains. The genus is easily identified by its spirally twisted grey-green, strap-like leaves which develop during the winter months (May - August).

The ripe fruit is sometimes used to impart its special aroma to bottles of brandy.

Taxonomy

This winter-growing genus is closely related to Apodolirion , which has 6 species found in both summer and winter regions, ranging from the Southern Cape to the summer-rainfall area of the Transvaal. The two genera together constitute the subtribe Gethyllidinae.

Species[2][3][4][5]
Formerly included[2]

A few names have been coined using the name Gethyllis, but referring to species now considered better suited to other genera (Apodolirion Curculigo Empodium). We here provide links to help you locate appropriate information

  • Gethyllis acaulis - Curculigo orchioides
  • Gethyllis lanceolata - Apodolirion lanceolatum
  • Gethyllis pilosa - Curculigo pilosa
  • Gethyllis plicata - Empodium plicatum

Distribution and habitat

Gethyllis has an extensive distribution covering the winter-rainfall area of the southern portion of Namibia and throughout the Cape Province, with the Vanrhynsdorp-Nieuwoudtville region showing the greatest species diversity.

Notes
  1. Painting by Dutch artist Robert Jacob Gordon. Patrick Cullinan. "Robert Jacob Gordon 1743-1795 The Man and his Travels at the Cape". Winchester Struik, Cape Town, 1992
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References
  1. Linnaeus 1753, Class XI: Dodecandria. Monogynia. Gethyllis p. 442
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Biodiversity Explorer
  4. Aluka
  5. Sanbi Red List of South African Plants, genus Gethyllis

Bibliography
  • Linnaeus, Carl (1753). Species Plantarum. Stockholm: Laurentii Salvii. Retrieved 18 April 2015.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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