Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis
This flowering plant does not photosynthesise, but depends on fungi instead for survival.
Species Information
- Scientific Name: Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis Cheek
- Conservation Status: Rated by the IUCN as Vulnerable (VU B2ab(iii)). This species is known from only seven sites, in four countries, where the habitat is threatened by deforestation.
- Habitat: Cloud forest (tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest with a high incidence of low-level cloud cover).
- Known hazards: None known.
Taxonomy
- Phylum: Lilianae
- Class: Equisetopsida
- Subclass: Magnoliidae
- Order: Dioscoreales
- Family: Burmanniaceae
- Genus: Gymnosiphon
About this species
Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis was discovered by the Kew botanist Martin Cheek during a field trip to Malawi. This expedition involved some work at the Nchisi Forest Reserve, which is protected for timber production. It was during a trek down a shady gully in the forest, where the ground was bare, that a small white, flat-topped, 3-lobed flower on a delicate stalk was spotted. Following this discovery, hundreds more of the plants were found in the few square metres nearby.
Geography & Distribution
This species is found in Malawi, south Tanzania, Zambia and Congo-Kinshasa, and is known from only seven sites within these four countries.
Description
Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis is a herb that grows up to 6 to 10 cm tall. This species is lacking in leaves, or any green tissue. The purple flowering stems arise, probably annually, from underground tubers (storage organs) in a cluster less than 1 cm across. The flowers are white with a yellow throat and point skywards. The 3-lobed flowers are about 8 mm in diameter and are radially symmetrical. The pollinating insects remain unknown. The top halves of the petals, including the 3 lobes, drop off after flowering, leaving the naked tube that gives the genus its name. The ripe fruit is papery brown, ellipsoid, about 2.5 mm in diameter, and carries the tube at the top. Numerous minute, dust-like seeds are shed from the ripe fruit.
This species differs from other African Gymnosiphon species in having tubers in a cluster, lacking inner tepal (petal or sepal) appendages in the flower, and in the receptive female parts being pendulous, not erect.
Gymnosiphon afro-orientalis is dependent on fungi for survival. Without knowing which fungi are involved in this relationship, we do not have the knowledge or means to cultivate this species successfully.
Threats & Conservation
This species is threatened by the clearance of surviving fragments of cloud forest in the countries in which it occurs. The habitat protection work that Kew is engaged in does not currently include the areas in which this species is known.
References & Credits
Cheek, M. (2009). Burmanniaceae, pp. 141-148 in Timberlake & Martens (eds), Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 12 part 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Kew Science Editor: Martin Cheek
Copy editing: Emma Tredwell
While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.
- Print friendly
- Send to a friend
-
Send to a friend Close
- Spread the word
-
Spread the word Close
- Blog this
- Donate
Follow Kew
Keep up to date with events and news from Kew
Fact Box
Agaricus arvensis
horse mushroom
On account of its white cap, the horse mushroom has also been called the ‘snowball mushroom’ in New Zealand.
Related Tags
- discovered
- around the world
- sustainable
- the UK
- at risk
- challenging
- together
- powerful
- ground breaking
- ancient
- ornamental
- of use
- english garden
- innovative
- rich
- medicinal
- weed
- edible
- tasty
- adventurous
- endangered
- rainforest
- uncharted
- irreplaceable
- needs help
- common
- flowering
- wild
- amazing
- beautiful
- interesting
- for kids
- inspiring
- passionate
- new
- newly discovered
- creative
- imaginative
- exotic
- fun
- popular
- extraordinary
- english heritage
- historical
- romantic
- rare
- valuable
- ancient
- scarce
- massive
- exploited
- fragile
- urgent
- useful
- rare
- active
- landscapes
- collectable
- unusual
- old
- Kew overseas
- high
- royal
- donate
- for family
- gifts that help
- money saving
- popular
- remember
- save
- give money
- in urgent need
- sponsor
- Kew at home
- collections
- surveying
- wet tropics
- systematics
- chemistry
- diversity
- verge of extinction
- big
- useful plants
- mysterious
- give time
- treasures
- events
- Africa
- conserving
- fieldwork
- partnerships
- successes
- pretty
- fragrant
- wet
- dangerous
- high up
- essential
- drylands
- spiky
- brand new
- hot
- friends & family
- dry
- hot spot
- garden plants
- woodland
- business
- South East Asia
Plant & Fungi blogs from Kew
The cool blue seeds of the Malagasy traveller’s tree
by: Wolfgang Stuppy, Millennium Seed Bank blog 06 Mar 2012
Truly blue seeds are about as rare as hens’ teeth. In the first of his ‘Seed of the Month’ series, Millennium Seed Bank seed morphologist, Wolfgang Stuppy, explains why.
- 29 likes
- 4 comments
Studying yams in Madagascar
by: Tim Harris, Herbarium blog 27 Jan 2012
Kew and Feedback Madagascar are collaborating to look at the preferences for different species of edible yam in Madagascan rural communities. Find out about the latest research being undertaken as part of Kew's work in Madagascar.
- 9 likes
- 0 comments
Conservators care for tapa cloth at Kew
by: Daniel Barter & Cristina Liria, Economic Botany blog 15 Aug 2011
Two conservation students from Camberwell College of Arts have spent three weeks surveying barkcloth specimens from the Pacific.
- 5 likes
- 0 comments
Extinct to secure: how we saved Ascension’s endemic parsley fern
by: Colin Clubbe, UK Overseas Territories team blog 23 Dec 2010
In the space of 17 months, the status of the tiny Ascension Island parsley fern (Anogramma ascensionis) has gone from 'thought extinct' to 'secure' because of the amazing collaborative efforts of a small group of very dedicated people.
- 29 likes
- 1 comment
The cool blue seeds of the Malagasy traveller’s tree
by: Wolfgang Stuppy, Millennium Seed Bank blog 06 Mar 2012
Truly blue seeds are about as rare as hens’ teeth. In the first of his ‘Seed of the Month’ series, Millennium Seed Bank seed morphologist, Wolfgang Stuppy, explains why.
- 29 likes
- 4 comments
From Chelsea to Mount Fuji, the legacy of Veitch Nurseries
by: Virginia Mills, Library, Art and Archives blog 20 May 2011
Harry Veitch brought the RHS flower show to Chelsea. His brother brought Japanese flora to Europe. Find out more about the Veitch's from Kew's Directors' Correspondence collection.
- 19 likes
- 1 comment
