''Heliophila'' is a
genus of
flowering plants in the family
Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either
annuals or perennials and some are popular as
ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 species grow in South Africa, particularly the
Cape Floristic Region, while a few extend into the
Namib Desert.
Taxonomic history
The first recognised published description of ''Heliophila'' appears in the second edition of ''
Species Plantarum
' (Latin for "The Species of Plants") is a book by Carl Linnaeus, originally published in 1753, which lists every species of plant known at the time, classified into genera. It is the first work to consistently apply binomial names and was the ...
'' by
Carl Linnaeus, printed in 1763. He attributes his description, however, to
Nicolaas Laurens Burman, a Dutch botanist.
The
generic name ''Heliophila'' is Latin but originally derived from the
Ancient Greek words ''hēlios'' (ἥλιος), meaning "sun", and ''phílos'' (φίλος), meaning "dear" or "beloved", and refers to the blooms opening in sun and closing at night or in overcast conditions, a habit of many of the species within the genus.
In general, contention abounds regarding phylogenetic relationships in the family Brassicaceae. In the past, using morphological characters to establish tribes and genera was misleading and created dissension among
systematist
Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees (synonyms: cladograms, phylogenetic tre ...
s. The classification of species within Brassicaceae is gradually resolving through
molecular phylogeny investigation, using
internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data and other new-found sequencing knowledge.
Previously there were six genera within the tribe Heliophileae, all endemic to southern Africa: ''Heliophila'', ''Cycloptychis'', ''Schlechteri'', ''Silicularia'', ''Thlaspeocarpa'', and ''Brachycarpaea''. The latter five genera contained among them only seven species, having been differentiated from the genus ''Heliophila'' mainly on morphological differences in the fruits they bore. Following extensive analysis of molecular evidence (nuclear (ITS) and plastid (trnL-F) DNA sequence data), Heliophileae was found to be monophyletic and the five small genera were reduced to synonymy with ''Heliophila''.
Distribution
''Heliophila'' is one of only two genera of Brassicaceae endemic to southern Africa. The majority of the species grow in the winter-rainfall Cape Floristic Region and the more arid
Namaqualand, while a smaller portion extend to the rest of South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho. None of the members of this genus are listed on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biologi ...
.
Description and habit
''Heliophila'' is regarded as one of the most diverse genera in the family Brassicaceae. Flower size, for example, varies greatly, with this genus containing both the largest of petals within the family (''H. juncea'') to the smallest (''H. pectinata''). There is a range of flower colour, with blue, white, and pink being the most common. Blue is an unusual colour for Brassicaceae, being known in only one other genus, the unrelated ''
Solms-laubachia
''Solms-laubachia'' is a high-altitude genus of perennial herbs in the family Brassicaceae. It is named for the German botanist Hermann zu Solms-Laubach.
Taxonomy
In 2008, Yue ''et al.'' expanded ''Solms-laubachia'', using molecular phylogenetic ...
'' from the
Himalayas.
Within the genus are mainly
herb
In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...
s and
subshrub
A subshrub (Latin ''suffrutex'') or dwarf shrub is a short shrub, and is a woody plant. Prostrate shrub is a related term. "Subshrub" is often used interchangeably with "bush".Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Der ...
s, although
shrub
A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...
s and
liana
A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ta ...
s appear as well. They may be annual or perennial and the majority of the fruits produced by species in this genus are
dehiscent
Dehiscence is the splitting of a mature plant structure along a built-in line of weakness to release its contents. This is common among fruits, anthers and sporangia. Sometimes this involves the complete detachment of a part; structures that op ...
, not woody, and lack a
carpophore. The plants are generally either
glabrous or possess simple hairs. Leaves are variable; they are narrow or broad, but usually simple, and may be entire, lobed, or
pinnatipartite. The
inflorescences are usually the
raceme
A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...
type.
Species
Accepted species:
* ''
Heliophila acuminata
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 species ...
''
( Eckl. & Zeyh.
Karl Ludwig Philipp Zeyher (2 August 1799 Dillenburg, Hessen, Germany – 13 December 1858 Cape Town), was a botanical and insect collector who collected extensively in South Africa. He was the author, with Christian Friedrich Ecklon, of ''Enumera ...
) Steud, 1840
* ''
Heliophila adpressa''
O.E. Schulz
* ''
Heliophila affinis''
Sond., 1846
* ''
Heliophila africana''
( L.) Marais, 1970
* ''
Heliophila alpina''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila amplexicaulis''
L.f., 1782
* ''
Heliophila arenaria''
Sond.
* ''
Heliophila arenosa''
Schltr., 1899
* ''
Heliophila brachycarpa''
Meisn., 1842
* ''
Heliophila brassicaefolia''
Eckl. & Zeyh.
* ''
Heliophila brassicifolia''
Eckl. & Zeyh.
* ''
Heliophila bulbostyla''
Barnes
* ''
Heliophila callosa
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
(L.f.) DC., 1821
* ''
Heliophila carnosa''
( Thunb.) Steud., 1840
* ''
Heliophila cedarbergensis''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila cinerea''
Marais, 1970
* ''
Heliophila collina''
O.E. Schulz
* ''
Heliophila concatenata
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
Sond., 1846
* ''
Heliophila cornellsbergia''
B.J. Pienaar & Nicholas
* ''
Heliophila cornuta''
Sond., 1846
* ''
Heliophila carnosa''
(Thunb.) Steud., 1840
* ''
Heliophila coronopifolia
''Heliophila coronopifolia'' is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Heliophila''. It is native to the Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when th ...
''
L.
* ''
Heliophila crithmifolia''
Willd., 1809
* ''
Heliophila cuneata''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila decurva''
Schltr., 1913
* ''
Heliophila deserticola''
Schltr., 1913
* ''
Heliophila diffusa
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
(Thunb.) DC.
* ''
Heliophila digitata''
L.f., 1782
* ''
Heliophila dissecta''
Thunb.
* ''
Heliophila dregeana''
Sond., 1846
* ''
Heliophila elata''
Sond.
* ''
Heliophila elongata''
DC.
* ''
Heliophila ephemera''
P.A.Bean
* ''
Heliophila esterhuyseniae''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila eximia''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila filicaulis''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila formosa''
Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
* ''
Heliophila gariepina''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila glauca''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila hurkana''
Al-Shehbaz & Mumm.
* ''
Heliophila juncea''
(P.J.Bergius) Druce
* ''
Heliophila katbergensis''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila laciniata''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila lactea''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila leptophylla''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila linearis''
DC.
* ''
Heliophila linoides''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila macowaniana''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila macra''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila macrosperma''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila maraisiana''
Al-Shehbaz & Mumm.
* ''
Heliophila meyeri''
Sond.
* ''
Heliophila minima''
(Stephens) Marais
* ''
Heliophila monosperma''
Al-Shehbaz & Mumm.
* ''
Heliophila namaquana''
Bolus
* ''
Heliophila namaquensis''
(Marais) Al-Shehbaz & Mumm.
* ''
Heliophila nubigena''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila obibensis''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila patens''
Oliv.
* ''
Heliophila pectinata''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila pendula''
Willd.
* ''
Heliophila pinnata''
L.f.
* ''
Heliophila polygaloides''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila promontorii''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila pubescens''
Burch. ex Sond.
* ''
Heliophila pusilla''
L.f.
* ''
Heliophila ramosissima''
O.E.Schulz
* ''
Heliophila refracta''
Sond.
* ''
Heliophila remotiflora''
O.E.Schulz
* ''
Heliophila rigidiuscula''
Sond.
* ''
Heliophila rimicola''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila scandens''
Harv.
* ''
Heliophila schulzii''
Marais
* ''
Heliophila scoparia''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila seselifolia''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila suavissima''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila suborbicularis''
Al-Shehbaz & Mumm.
* ''
Heliophila subulata
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila tabularis
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
Dod
* ''
Heliophila thunbergii
''Heliophila'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. Members of this genus are either annuals or perennials and some are popular as ornamental plants. Endemic to southern Africa, the majority of the approximately 80 spe ...
''
Steud.
* ''
Heliophila tricuspidata''
Schltr.
* ''
Heliophila trifurca''
Burch. ex DC.
* ''
Heliophila tulbaghensis''
Schinz
* ''
Heliophila variabilis''
Burch. ex DC.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q955407
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae genera