Canephora

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Canephora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Ixoroideae
Tribe: Octotropideae
Genus: Canephora
Juss.
Type species
Canephora madagascariensis

Canephora is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, indigenous to Madagascar.[1][2]

Description[edit]

The name Canephora, "basket bearer", refers to both the flattened peduncle topped by a "hollowed apex bearing flowers" and to the ritual office for unmarried young women in ancient Greece, as bearer of a sacred basket full of offerings during processions at festivals.[3]

Canephora is unique in Rubiaceae in having peduncles transformed into flattened, green axes called phylloclades.[4]

Canephora madagascariensis has bright white, campanulate flowers and apparently edible, red fruits, locally known as "hazongalala".[5]

Species[edit]

Currently, five species are recognized, but several new species await description.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jussieu, Antoine Laurent de (August 8, 1789). Antonii Laurentii de Jussieu Genera plantarum :secundum ordines naturales disposita, juxta methodum in Horto regio parisiensi exaratam, anno M.DCC.LXXIV. apud viduam Herissant et Theophilum Barrois.
  2. ^ "Canephora in the World Checklist of Rubiaceae". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  3. ^ Roccos JL (1995). "The kanephoros and her festival mantle in Greek art". American Journal of Archaeology. 99 (4): 641–666. doi:10.2307/506187. JSTOR 506187. S2CID 191400219.
  4. ^ a b De Block P, Vrijdaghs A (2013). "Development of reproductive organs in Canephora madagascariensis (Octotropideae - Rubiaceae)". Plant Ecology and Evolution. 146 (3): 310–327. doi:10.5091/plecevo.2013.844.
  5. ^ Seligson D (1972). "On collecting herbs in Madagascar". Arnoldia. 32: 23–29.

External links[edit]