Geitonoplesium is a monotypic genus in the family Asphodelaceae, containing the sole species Geitonoplesium cymosum, commonly known as scrambling lily.[5][6] The species is a perennial evergreen scrambling vine found in rainforests, sclerophyll forests and woodlands of eastern Australia,[5] and parts of Malesia and Melanesia.[2][6][7]
| Geitonoplesium | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flowers | |
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| Fruit, at Paruna Reserve, Como, Sydney, NSW. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Hemerocallidoideae |
| Genus: | Geitonoplesium A.Cunn. ex R.Br.[3][2] |
| Species: | G. cymosum
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| Binomial name | |
| Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.[2]
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| Synonyms[4] | |
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The leaves are variable, usually narrow-lanceolate to linear, 2–10 cm (0.8–3.9 in) long and 3–25 mm (0.1–1.0 in) wide. Both surfaces of the leaves are glossy, with the midvein prominent and raised on the upper surface. The flowers are mauve to white. The globular berries are 5–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) in diameter and contain one or two more or less globular black seeds.[5][6] There is a high degree of variation in the shape of the leaves, which has resulted in the establishment of numerous infraspecific taxa over the years. However, none of these are recognised by leading present-day authorities.[8]
Uses
editThe shoots are edible when boiled, and comparable to asparagus.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Species profile—Geitonoplesium cymosum". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Geitonoplesium cymosum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "Geitonoplesium cymosum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 March 2016 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
- ^ a b c F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Geitonoplesium cymosum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ a b c "PlantNET - FloraOnline". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Conran, J.G.; Clifford, H.T. (2020). "Geitonoplesium cymosum". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Laferrière, Joseph E. (1995). "Nomenclature and type specimens in Eustrephus R.Br. and Geitonoplesium Hook. (Geitonoplesiaceae)". Austrobaileya. 4 (3): 391–399. JSTOR 41738875.
- ^ Low, Tim (1991). Wild food plants of Australia (revised ed.). North Ryde, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson. p. 122. ISBN 9780207169304.
- ^ "Geitonoplesium cymosum - (R.Br.)A.Cunn". Plants For A Future. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
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