Virectaria

Virectaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus, known as Virecta until 1952, consists exclusively of tropical African species. It is a Guineo-Congolian genus, having its highest diversity in Lower Guinea but it also occurs in the Zambezian Region.[1] Verdcourt provided a revision in which he defined five species[2] but three more were added later.[3][4] In 2001, a detailed morphological and anatomical study of the genus was conducted and a taxonomic survey and a key to the species was provided.[1]

Virectaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Ixoroideae
Tribe: Sabiceeae
Genus: Virectaria
Bremek.
Synonyms
  • Phyteumoides Smeathman ex DC.
  • Virecta Afzel. ex Sm.

Description

All species are herbaceous or semi-woody and possess a fruit dehiscence type that is unique for the family; the splitting into one persistent and one deciduous valve allows recognizing the genus at first glance. In habit, Virectaria strongly resembles African Hedyotideae such as Otomeria and Parapentas but it lacks some diagnostic features of that tribe, viz. raphides, articulate hairs, heterostylous flowers and exotestal cells with only slight thickenings.[1]

Cultivation and Use

Virectaria major is frequently used in traditional medicine.[5] It is utilized to heal all kinds of disorders, varying from eye diseases to pneumonia. Most collectors report that decocted leaves are for healing wounds, which is reflected in the Mahi vernacular name "Kalyabirondo", signifying "that which eats wounds".[1]

Species
  • Virectaria angustifolia (Hiern) Bremek.
  • Virectaria belingana N.Hallé
  • Virectaria herbacoursi N.Hallé
  • Virectaria major (K.Schum.) Verdc.
  • Virectaria multiflora (Sm.) Bremek.
  • Virectaria procumbens (Sm.) Bremek.
  • Virectaria salicoides (C.H.Wright) Bremek.
  • Virectaria tenella J.B..Hall
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References
  1. Dessein S, Jansen S, Huysmans S, Robbrecht E, Smets E (2001). "A morphological and anatomical survey of Virectaria (African Rubiaceae), with a discussion of its taxonomic position". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 137: 1–29. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2001.tb01102.x.
  2. Verdcourt B (1953). "A revision of certain African genera of herbaceous Rubiaceae. III The genus Virectaria Bremek". Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de l'Etat. 28: 209–281. doi:10.2307/3667090.
  3. Hallé N (1966). Famille des Rubiacées (1re partie). Flore du Gabon (12 ed.). Paris: Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.
  4. Hall JB (1972). "A new species of Virectaria (Rubiaceae) from Ghana". Kew Bulletin. 26: 567–571. doi:10.2307/4120320.
  5. Burkill HM (1998). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 4 (2 ed.). Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.


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