Amphistemon

Amphistemon is a genus of 2 species of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is described by Inge Groeninckx in 2010 based on a molecular analysis of the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia group.[1] The genus name is based on the Greek 'amphi-' (=double or of two kinds) and 'stemon' (=stamen) referring to the dimorphic stamen position characteristic for this genus.

Amphistemon
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Rubioideae
Tribe: Spermacoceae
Genus: Amphistemon
Groeninckx
Type species
Amphistemon humbertii
Groeninckx

Description

Amphistemon are erect perennial herbs or subshrubs with the unique feature in the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia group of having stamens inserted at two distinct levels in the corolla tube, the lower stamens with filaments and anthers shorter than those of the upper stamens.[1]

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to southwestern and western Madagascar and is found in dry spiny forest-thicket and coastal bushland.[1]

Taxonomy

According to molecular analysis of the genus, it is found to be closely related to Astiella of the species-group Hedyotis-Oldenlandia.[1]

Species
  • Amphistemon humbertii Groeninckx
  • Amphistemon rakotonasolianus Groeninckx

References
  1. Groeninckx I, De Block P, Robbrecht E, Smets E, Dessein S. 2010. "Amphistemon and Thamnoldenlandia, two new genera of Rubiaceae (Spermacoceae) endemic to Madagascar." Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 163: 447-472.


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