Muraltia

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Muraltia
Muraltia bolusii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Tribe: Polygaleae
Genus: Muraltia
DC. 1815
Type species
Muraltia heisteria
(L.) DC.
Synonyms[1]
  • Heisteria L. ex P. J. Bergius 1767, non Jacq. 1760
  • Mundia Kunth 1821 [1823]
  • Mundtia (Goldblatt & J.C. Manning) W. Harvey in W. Harvey & O. Sonder 1860, orth. var.
  • Nylandtia Dumort. 1822

Muraltia is a genus of plants in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae) which is native to Southern and Eastern Africa.[2][3][4] Most of the species are endemic to South Africa, and one species is naturalized in Australia.[5] It is named after Johannes von Muralt, a Swiss botanist and surgeon.[6]

In 2006 the genus Nylandtia, which contained two species, was merged into Muraltia.[7] The two species formerly part of Nylandtia are Muraltia scoparia and Muraltia spinosa. Nylandtia are commonly known as "Tortoise berry" plants ("skilpadbessie"). This is because of the bright edible berries that they produce, which are relished by the tortoise species of the fynbos.[1]

Description[edit]

Muraltia are perennial, ericoid shrublets or shrubs. Their small flowers and sessile or have short stalks.[8] usually have 3 petals and 5 sepals which are usually subequal. Their fruits contain 2 seeds. Their capsules are flat, membranous, and usually 4-horned. Its seeds are pubescent.[4][9]

Species[edit]

As of July 2020, there are 118 accepted Muraltia species:[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Forest, Félix; Manning, John C. (2006). "Evidence for inclusion of South African endemic Nylandtia in Muraltia (Polygalaceae)". Syst Bot. 31 (3): 525–532. doi:10.1600/036364406778388566. JSTOR 25064182.
  2. ^ Roskov Y.; Kunze T.; Orrell T.; Abucay L.; Paglinawan L.; Culham A.; Bailly N.; Kirk P.; Bourgoin T.; Baillargeon G.; Decock W.; De Wever A. (2014). Didžiulis V. (ed.). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2014 Annual Checklist". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ^ Forest F, Nänni I, Chase MW, Crane PR, Hawkins JA (2007). "Diversification of a large genus in a continental biodiversity hotspot: Temporal and spatial origin of Muraltia (Polygalaceae) in the Cape of South Africa". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 43 (1): 60–74. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.017. PMID 17049279.
  4. ^ a b c "Muraltia DC". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  5. ^ "Fact sheet for Muraltia". Electronic Flora of South Australia. Government of South Africa. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Hermanus Botanical Society. "Muraltia minuta". Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  7. ^ Forest, Félix; Manning, John C. (2006). "Evidence for Inclusion of South African Endemic Nylandtia in Muraltia (Polygalaceae)". Systematic Botany. 31 (3): 525–532. doi:10.1600/036364406778388566. ISSN 0363-6445. JSTOR 25064182.
  8. ^ "Flora of New South Wales" (112). Government Printer. 1978. Retrieved July 13, 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ "Muraltia". Flora of Victoria. Government of Victoria, Australia. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  10. ^ "Nylandtia scoparia".
  11. ^ "Nylandtia spinosa".


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