Baeometra
Encyclopedia
Baeometra is a monotypic genus in the family Colchicaceae
. It is native to southern Africa, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals. The only species was described, as Baeometra columellaris, by the British botanist Salisbury in 1812, but had actually been discovered, described and painted already 1793 by the Austrian botanist Jacquin
as Melanthium uniflorum. The correct name for the species was thus settled in 1941 by the South African botanist Gwendolyn Lewis to be Baeometra uniflora (Salisb.) G.J.Lewis. The epithet actually means "single flowered" which is contradicted by the fact that the stem usually bears at least two yellowish flowers.
The species is related to the genus Wurmbea
, which is present in southern Africa and Australia, and is known to be a poisonous plant containing the alkaloid colchicine
. It has been introduced to Australia where it is considered to be an invasive and unwanted addition to the local flora.
Colchicaceae
Colchicaceae is a botanical name of a family of flowering plants.The APG III system, of 2009 , does recognize such a family and places it in the order Liliales, in the clade monocots, and regards the family as including some two hundred species of herbaceous perennials with rhizomes or corms.The...
. It is native to southern Africa, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals. The only species was described, as Baeometra columellaris, by the British botanist Salisbury in 1812, but had actually been discovered, described and painted already 1793 by the Austrian botanist Jacquin
Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin
Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin or Baron Nikolaus von Jacquin. was a scientist who studied medicine, chemistry and botany....
as Melanthium uniflorum. The correct name for the species was thus settled in 1941 by the South African botanist Gwendolyn Lewis to be Baeometra uniflora (Salisb.) G.J.Lewis. The epithet actually means "single flowered" which is contradicted by the fact that the stem usually bears at least two yellowish flowers.
The species is related to the genus Wurmbea
Wurmbea
Wurmbea is a genus of perennial herbs that are native to Africa and Australia. There are about 40 species, with about half endemic to each continent....
, which is present in southern Africa and Australia, and is known to be a poisonous plant containing the alkaloid colchicine
Colchicine
Colchicine is a medication used for gout. It is a toxic natural product and secondary metabolite, originally extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum...
. It has been introduced to Australia where it is considered to be an invasive and unwanted addition to the local flora.