Cheilotheca is a small genus of myco-heterotrophic plants in the family (Ericaceae). They get the nutrients they need to survive and grow. They connect to the fungi, they get their nutrients from via their thin, white roots. All of the fungi they are parasites of all belong to the Russulaceae. As of currently, the genus includes three species.[1]
| Cheilotheca | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Subfamily: | Monotropoideae |
| Tribe: | Monotropeae |
| Genus: | Cheilotheca Hook.f. |
Etymology
editThe genus was named by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1876.[2] The name is derived from the Greek word "cheilos", meaning a lip or an edge. The "theca" is a Latin term, meaning covering or sheath. Together they essentially mean "lipped sheath".
Taxonomy
editBased on morphological analyses, Cheilotheca has been placed in the Ericaceae subfamily Monotropoideae.[3] The exact placement of Cheilotheca within the Monotropoideae is still unknown, but morphologically the genus most closely resembles Monotropa and Monotropastrum.
List of species
edit- Cheilotheca khasiana Hook.f.
- Cheilotheca malayana Scort. ex Hook.f.
- Cheilotheca sleumerana H.Keng
References
edit- ^ The Plant List. Cheilotheca. Searched November 2011. http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Ericaceae/Cheilotheca/
- ^ Bentham, G., Hooker, J.D. (1876) Genera Plantarum Vol. 2. Reeve & Co., London.
- ^ Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S., Stevens, P.F., Crayn, D.M., Anderberg, A.A., Gadek, P.A., Quinn, C.J., Luteyn, J.L. 2002. Phylogenetic classification of Ericaceae: molecular and morphological evidence. Botanical Review 68: 335-423.
External links
edit
- Cheilotheca at The Plant List
- Cheilotheca at the Encyclopedia of Life
- Cheilotheca at the Flora of Taiwan Checklist
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