Geosiris aphylla

earth-iris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Geosiridoideae
Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
Genus: Geosiris
Binomial name
Geosiris aphylla
Baillon

Geosiris aphylla is a species in the Iridaceae family of flowering plants, first described in 1894. It is endemic to Madagascar.[1]

Geosiris aphylla is sometimes called the "earth-iris". It is a small myco-heterotroph lacking chlorophyll and obtaining its nutrients from fungi in the soil.[2]

Its rhizomes are slender and scaly, and stems are simple or branched. The leaves are alternate, but having no use, are reduced and scale-like (hence the epithet "aphylla," meaning "without leaves"). The flowers are light purple.

References

  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2008). The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 96–98. ISBN 0-88192-897-6.


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