[Codonanthopsis]

Important notes

The genera Codonanthe and Codonanthopsis have been deeply redefined by Chautems & Perret (Selbyana 31/2:143-156, 2013). For better understanding the changes in the circumscription the two genera are treated in the present homesite both in the traditional and new sense.

All species illustrated here belong to Codonanthe both in the old and new sense.

Codonanthopsis (in its traditional sense)

Codonanthopsis ulei Mansf. — *Codonanthopsis ulei* Mansf., type species

Note strong anisophylly, with the small leaf of a leaf pair almost completely reduced.

Photo: A.Weber (1982), Marie Selby BG

Codonanthopsis (in its traditional sense)

Full name and orig. publication: Codonanthopsis Mansf., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 36: 120 (25 Sept. 1934).

Etymology: Composed of the generic name Codonanthe and the Greek suffix όψις, -opsis = looking like, for the similarity and close relationship with Codonanthe.

Synonyms: -

Infrafamilial position: Gesnerioideae-Gesnerieae-Columneinae (Weber et al. 2013).

Description: Epiphytic lignescent herbs or subshrubs. Stem terete, thickish. Leaves strongly anisophyllous, the smaller leaf stipule-like and early caducous, shortly petiolate, lamina fleshy or papyraceous, oblanceolate-acuminate. Cymes few-flowered, shortly fasciculate. Flowers small, pedicels slender. Sepals ± free to base, inequal, ventral lobes longer than the dorsal ones, the latter curved and appressed to the corolla spur. Corolla white with purple, or lilac, tube cylindrical, with a dorsal spur at the base, limb with short lobes. Stamens 4; filaments adnate to corolla base, flattened and connate at base; anthers dehiscing with an apical slit. Nectary a single dorsal gland. Ovary superior, ovoid-oblong; stigma suborbicular. Fruit a fleshy capsule with loculicidal dehiscence, valves reflexed, displaying the placenta, seeds and funicles.

Chromosome number: 2n = 18.

Species number: 5.

Type species: Codonanthopsis ulei Mansf.

Distribution: Along the river systems of the Amazon from Peru to Brazil.

Ecology: Growing epiphytically in lowland and montane forests, sometimes associated with ants.

Notes: The genus is related to Codonanthe (into which it was merged by Moore 1973 and Skog 1979), but differs strongly in the habit (stiff and ascending branches, markedly anisophyllous leaves), the chromosome number, the narrow connective and the capsular display fruit. Some species are occasionally found in ant's nests.

Selected references: Moore, Bailey 19: 4-33 (1973), rev. of Codonanthe; Skog, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 65: 783-996 (1979), reg. rev. of Codonanthe (Panama); Wiehler, Selbyana 6: 193 (1983), emend.; Chautems in Ribeiro & al., Fl. Res. Ducke (1999), reg. rev.; Feuillet & Steyermark, Fl. Venezuel. Guayana 5 (1999), reg. rev.

Tax. details, cytology, and bibliography: Gesneriaceae Resource Centre (GRC). Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Page content and update responsibility/contact: Anton Weber.
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