Author: Peter V. Bruyns
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Asclepiadaceae
Languages : en
Pages : 286

Get Book

Book Description

Author: Peter V. Bruyns
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030494020
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 481

Get Book

Book Description
This book presents a new account of Euphorbia in southern Africa. Euphorbia is the second largest genus of plants in the world. Southern Africa enjoys a high diversity in Euphorbia and 170 species occur here naturally. Of these 170 species, 128 or 74% are endemic. Where most species of Euphorbia in the northern hemisphere are herbs or shrubs, most of those in southern African are succulent. These succulents range from small, almost geophytic forms where the tuber is larger than the above-ground parts to huge trees 6 to 15 m or more in height. Many of them are spiny. There are also small numbers of herbaceous species in southern Africa and many of these are also dealt with here. The last account of the succulent species for southern Africa was published in 1941 and much new data has accumulated since then. Our understanding of the relationships of the species in Euphorbia has also been greatly enhanced by recent analyses of DNA-data, which led to new and unexpected results. From this new information an entirely new classification was developed, in which Euphorbia was divided into four subgenera. This provides the taxonomic framework for the presentation of our species here. Around ten new species have been described and these are presented in detail for the first time. This monograph is made up of two volumes. Volume 1 contains an extensive introductory chapter with an overview of the genus in the region, emphasizing many of its important and distinctive features. This is followed by Chapter 2, which deals with subgenus Athymalus. Of the four subgenera, this one is by far the most diverse in southern Africa, with 80 species. Volume 2 contains Chapters 3 (subg. Chamaesyce, 34 species), 4 (subg. Esula, 11 species) and 5 (subg. Euphorbia, 45 species), as well as an additional Chapter 6 covering the remarkable diversity of subg. Euphorbia in Moçambique. Each of Chapters 2 to 5 includes a key to all the species, followed by an account of each of them. This account includes synonymy, a description, data on distribution and habitat, line-drawings of floral features and other diagnostic details, notes on how the species is distinguished from its closest relatives and a brief history of its discovery. Several colour photographs are included for each species, illustrating its habitat, vegetative habit and flowering features, demonstrating key points distinguishing it from others and often showing its variability. Euphorbia is an important component of the vegetation in many of the drier parts of southern Africa. This book is based on a thorough evaluation of the vast herbarium record for southern African members of Euphorbia, on the extensive field-work conducted in the region and the wide taxonomic experience of the author. It is believed that both the professional botanist and the layman will find much that is new and informative in this monograph.

Author: Peter V. Bruyns
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030493997
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 515

Get Book

Book Description
This book presents a new account of Euphorbia in southern Africa. Euphorbia is the second largest genus of plants in the world. Southern Africa enjoys a high diversity in Euphorbia and 170 species occur here naturally. Of these 170 species, 128 or 74% are endemic. Where most species of Euphorbia in the northern hemisphere are herbs or shrubs, most of those in southern African are succulent. These succulents range from small, almost geophytic forms where the tuber is larger than the above-ground parts to huge trees 6 to 15 m or more in height. Many of them are spiny. There are also small numbers of herbaceous species in southern Africa and many of these are also dealt with here. The last account of the succulent species for southern Africa was published in 1941 and much new data has accumulated since then. Our understanding of the relationships of the species in Euphorbia has also been greatly enhanced by recent analyses of DNA-data, which led to new and unexpected results. From this new information an entirely new classification was developed, in which Euphorbiawas divided into four subgenera. This provides the taxonomic framework for the presentation of our species here. Around ten new species have been described and these are presented in detail for the first time. This monograph is made up of two volumes. Volume 1 contains an extensive introductory chapter with an overview of the genus in the region, emphasizing many of its important and distinctive features. This is followed by Chapter 2, which deals with subgenus Athymalus. Of the four subgenera, this one is by far the most diverse in southern Africa, with 80 species. Volume 2 contains Chapters 3 (subg. Chamaesyce, 34 species), 4 (subg. Esula, 11 species) and 5 (subg. Euphorbia, 45 species), as well as an additional Chapter 6 covering the remarkable diversity of subg. Euphorbia in Moçambique. Each of Chapters 2 to 5 includes a key to all the species, followed by an account of each of them. This account includes synonymy, a description, data on distribution and habitat, line-drawings of floral features and other diagnostic details, notes on how the species is distinguished from its closest relatives and a brief history of its discovery. Several colour photographs are included for each species, illustrating its habitat, vegetative habit and flowering features, demonstrating key points distinguishing it from others and often showing its variability. Euphorbia is an important component of the vegetation in many of the drier parts of southern Africa. This book is based on a thorough evaluation of the vast herbarium record for southern African members of Euphorbia, on the extensive field-work conducted in the region and the wide taxonomic experience of the author. It is believed that both the professional botanist and the layman will find much that is new and informative in this monograph.

Author: Peter Goldblatt
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 474

Get Book

Book Description

Author: Peter V. Bruyns
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781919976983
Category : Apocynaceae
Languages : en
Pages : 158

Get Book

Book Description
"The flora of Namibia is dominated by the families Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Here an account of the Apocynaceae, the seventh largest family in Namibia, is presented. A total of 153 species belonging to 46 genera are recorded as occurring naturally for the country and 19 of these species are endemic to Namibia, with two endemic genera. More than half of these 153 species belong to the tribe Ceropegieae, with the highly succulent group, the stapeliads, respresented by 58 species. It is shown that the family is most diverse in the extreme south of the country, in the Rosh Pinah and in the Karasburg districts. The distribution of each species is mapped and, for many genera, one species is illustrated with line drawings. Lectotypes are selected for several species."--Back cover.

Author: James Cullen
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521761603
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 641

Get Book

Book Description
The definitive manual for the accurate identification of cultivated ornamental flowering plants, thoroughly updated to include the latest taxonomic knowledge.

Author: John S. Ball
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Botany
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book

Book Description

Author: Douglas Soltis
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022644175X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 587

Get Book

Book Description
Although they are relative latecomers on the evolutionary scene, having emerged only 135?170 million years ago, angiosperms—or flowering plants—are the most diverse and species-rich group of seed-producing land plants, comprising more than 15,000 genera and over 350,000 species. Not only are they a model group for studying the patterns and processes of evolutionary diversification, they also play major roles in our economy, diet, and courtship rituals, producing our fruits, legumes, and grains, not to mention the flowers in our Valentine’s bouquets. They are also crucial ecologically, dominating most terrestrial and some aquatic landscapes. This fully revised edition of Phylogeny and Evolution of the Angiosperms provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of the evolution of and relationships among these vital plants. Incorporating molecular phylogenetics with morphological, chemical, developmental, and paleobotanical data, as well as presenting a more detailed account of early angiosperm fossils and important fossil information for each evolutionary branch of the angiosperms, the new edition integrates fossil evidence into a robust phylogenetic framework. Featuring a wealth of new color images, this highly synthetic work further reevaluates long-held evolutionary hypotheses related to flowering plants and will be an essential reference for botanists, plant systematists, and evolutionary biologists alike.

Author: Anne Powys
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
ISBN: 1775842460
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 418

Get Book

Book Description
A compact guide featuring nearly 400 wild owers of Kenya and northern Tanzania, grouped for ease of use according to colour. e book includes the most widespread and commonly encountered species as well as some unusual owers found in more remote areas. Plants range from hardy succulents to spectacular epiphytic orchids and shaggy mountain lobelias, each concisely presented with reference to key features and typical habitat. Additional notes indicate whether a given species has particular ecological, medicinal or cultural value. Sales points: Colour coded for easy navigation; concise, yet detailed text highlighting key ID features and habitat; vibrant, full-colour photographs; notes on the ecological and cultural significance of particular wild flowers; attractively priced.

Author: Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Ethnology
Languages : en
Pages : 154

Get Book

Book Description