Cremosperma

Full name and orig. publication: Cremosperma Benth., Pl. Hartw. 234 (April 1846).

Etymology: Derived from the Greek κρεμαννυμι, kremannymi = to hang, and σπερμα, sperma = seed, referring to the seeds hanging on a long funicle. 

Synonyms: - 

Infrafamilial position: Gesnerioid Gesneriaceae (Gesnerioideae) - Beslerieae.

Description: Small terrestrial or epiphytic perennial herbs. Stems soft woody, short, erect, ascending or repent. Leaves opposite or rarely whorled, iso- to strongly anisophyllous, petiolate, entire or incised. Inflorescences few, emerging from the upper leaf axils, umbellate or capitate cymes (cincinni), usually longer than the leaves; ebracteate. Flowers small, usually with short pedicels. Calyx with an often 10-costate tube, lobes short. Corolla small (2 cm or less), yellow, white or reddish, occasionally spotted; tube ± erect in the calyx, cylindrical to funnelform; limb with spreading to patent lobes. Stamens 4, didynamous; filaments adnate up to middle of corolla tube. Nectary annular or semi-annular. Ovary superior. Fruit a subglobose, membranous capsule, dehiscing irregularly.

Chromosome number: Unknown.

Species number: 20-25.

Species names (incl. publication and synonyms): See Skog, L.E. & J.K. Boggan. 2005: World checklist of Gesneriaceae: http://persoon.si.edu/Gesneriaceae/Checklist.

Type species: Cremosperma hirsutissimum Benth.

Distribution: From the Andes of Peru to Panama.

Ecology: Growing in wet humus or moss on slopes, rocks, or the moss cover of trees, usually at higher elevations. 

Selected references: Morton, J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 25: 283-291 (1935), rev.; Skog, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard 65: 888-891 (1979), reg. rev. (Panama); Skog, Selbyana 7: 94-99 (1982), new sp.; Kvist & Skog, Nord. J. Bot. 8: 253-257 (1988), new sp.; Kvist & Skog, Nord. J. Bot. 8: 259-269 (1988), reg. rev. (Ecuador).

Bibliography: See Skog, L.E. & J.K. Boggan. 2005. Bibliography of the Gesneriaceae. 2nd edition: http://persoon.si.edu/Gesneriaceae/Bibliography.

Illustrations:

Cremosperma ecuadoranum L.P.Kvist & L.E.Skog

Kvist & Skog, Nordic J. Bot. 37, t. 1 (1988)

Cremosperma filicifolium L.P.Kvist & L.E.Skog

Kvist & Skog, Nordic J. Bot. 37, t. 2 (1988)

Cremosperma reldioides L.P.Kvist & L.E.Skog

Kvist & Skog, Nordic J. Bot. 37, t. 4 (1988)

 



last modified: 2007-01-05