Geitonoplesium

Geitonoplesium is a genus of a sole species Geitonoplesium cymosum, the scrambling lily. It is a member of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae.[4] They grow naturally as scrambling vines in rainforests, drier forests and woodlands, of eastern Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island.[5][6]

Geitonoplesium
Flowers, 26 Dec 2011
Fruit, Feb 2011 at Paruna Reserve, Como, Sydney, NSW, by John Tann
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Hemerocallidoideae
Genus: Geitonoplesium
A.Cunn. ex R.Br.[1]
Species:
G. cymosum
Binomial name
Geitonoplesium cymosum
(R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Eustrephus timorensis Ridl.
  • Geitonoplesium asperum A.Cunn. ex R.Br.
  • Geitonoplesium montanum (R.Br.) Kunth
  • Geitonoplesium montanum (R. Br.) Hook.
  • Luzuriaga cymosa R.Br.
  • Luzuriaga laxiflora Hallier f.
  • Luzuriaga montana R.Br.
  • Luzuriaga timorensis (Ridl.) Hallier f.
  • Medeola angustifolia Delile nom. illeg.

The leaves are variable, usually narrow-lanceolate to linear, usually 2–10 cm (0.8–3.9 in) long and 3–25 mm (0.1–1.0 in) wide. Both surfaces of leaves are glossy, with the midvein prominent and raised on upper surface. The flowers are mauve to white. The globose berries are 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in diameter and contain numerous black seeds.[5][7] The high degree of variation in the shape of the leaves has resulted in the establishment of numerous infraspecific taxa over the years, none of which is recognised by most present-day systematists.[8]

Uses

The shoots are harvested and eaten like asparagus and have a pleasant beany-like flavor.[9] Uncommon in cultivation.

References
  1. "Geitonoplesium A.Cunn. ex R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. "Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  3. "Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 March 2016 – via The Plant List.
  4. Stevens, P.F. (2001 onwards). "Hemerocallidoideae". Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
  5. Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (December 2010). "Factsheet – Geitonoplesium cymosum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (6.1, online version RFK 6.1 ed.). Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  6. Conran, John G.; Clifford, H. T. (1986). "Geitonoplesium (Smilacaceae)". Flora of Australia: Volume 46: Iridaceae to Dioscoreaceae (online version, by P. S. Green) |format= requires |url= (help). Flora of Australia series. CSIRO Publishing / Australian Biological Resources Study. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-644-04356-4. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  7. Harden, Gwen J. (July 2001). "Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex Hook. – New South Wales Flora Online". PlantNET – The Plant Information Network System. 2.0. Sydney, Australia: The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  8. Laferrière, Joseph E. (1995). "Nomenclature and type specimens in Eustrephus R.Br. and Geitonoplesium Hook. (Geitonoplesiaceae)". Austrobaileya. 4 (3): 391–399. JSTOR 41738875.
  9. Low, Tim (1991). Wild food plants of Australia (revised ed.). North Ryde, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson. p. 122. ISBN 9780207169304.


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