e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1707199945857_13128487195751526" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Baeo<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1707199945857_33548356667091284" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>metra
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Colchicaceae - Baeometra Salisb. ex Endl.

Description:

  • Geophytes
  • Corms asymmetrically ovoid, covered by thin, dark brown tunics; new corms developing a basal bulge, with tunics forming a downward fold below, through which roots appear
  • Shoot usually forming a sheathing neck below ground, scapose above
  • Leaves ± 6, distichous, linear, canaliculate, sheathing, upper merging into bracts
  • Flowers in a scorpioid, 1-7-flowered cyme; pedicels with discoid, scalloped apex
  • Perianth segments free, erect, yellow inside, purple at base, red outside, deciduous
  • Stamens arising from claw, shorter than segments; anthers versatile, introrse
  • Ovary cylindric, with many ovules; styles 3, short, falcate, laterally stigmatose
  • Capsule cylindric, trigonous, septicidal
  • Seeds globose
  • x = 11

Nomenclature:

  • Baeometra Salisb. ex Endl.
    • Salisbury: 330 (1812)
    • Endlicher: 136 (1836)
    • Baker: 522 (1897)
    • Adamson: 202 (1950)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Southern Africa: Species 1: Baeometra uniflora (Jacq.) G.J.Lewis, Western Cape
    • Reported as poisonous to cattle

References:

  • ADAMSON, R.S 1950. Baeometra, Wurmbea. In R.S. Adamson & T.M. Salter, Flora of the Cape Peninsula. Juta, Cape Town
  • BAKER, J.G. 1897. Liliaceae. Flora capensis 6
  • ENDLICHER, S. 1836. Genera plantarum. Beck, Vienna
  • SALISBURY, R.A. 1812. On the cultivation of rare plants. Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London 1