Gonatopus (plant)
| Gonatopus | |
|---|---|
| Gonatopus boivinii in cultivation | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Zamioculcadoideae |
| Genus: | Gonatopus Engl.[1] |
| Species | |
|
See here | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Gonatopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, consisting of five species.[1] This genus is native to and southeastern Africa[1] and is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas.[2]
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Gonatopus are terrestrial,[3] rhizomatous or tuberous,[3][4] seasonally dormant herbs[5] with large, solitary[6] mostly petiolate, or rarely decurrent leaves.[3]
Generative characteristics
The plant bears 1–4 inflorescences.[4] The unisexual flowers have four fleshy tepals.[3] The stigma is capitate.[6] The orange, red, yellow, or white, ovoid to ellipsoid berry bears 1–2 ovoid to ellipsoid seeds.[4]
Taxonomy
It was described by Adolf Engler in 1879.[6][1] It is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas.[2]
Species
It has five species:[1]
- Gonatopus angustus N.E.Br.
- Gonatopus boivinii (Decne.) Engl.
- Gonatopus clavatus Mayo
- Gonatopus marattioides (Peter) Bogner
- Gonatopus petiolulatus (Peter) Bogner
Cultivation
The most commonly found Gonatopus species in private collections and botanical gardens is Gonatopus boivinii.[2] Its common name giraffe's knees[7][8][9] is derived from the resemblance of the swollen part of the petiole with the knee of a giraffe.[8][10] Since Gonatopus boivinii is tropical in origin,[10] it may be grown as an indoor plant.[8] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant,[11] and may display mottled and spotted colouration on the leaves and the inflorescence.[9] The plants should be kept warm,[8] and in filtered light or light shade.[8][12] After the growing season, the tubers can be stored outside of the soil.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Gonatopus Engl. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:2793-1
- ^ a b c Hetterscheid, W. (n.d.). The Genus Gonatopus. International Aroid Society. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from http://www.aroidsociety.org/genera/generapage.php?genus=gonatopus
- ^ a b c d Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2026). Flora of Mozambique: Genus page: Gonatopus. https://www.mozambiqueflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=300, retrieved 4 January 2026
- ^ a b c Gonatopus. (n.d.). Pacific Bulb Society. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Gonatopus
- ^ eMonocot Team Gonatopus - Engl. CATE Araceae https://cate-araceae.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/7983 (accessed 4 January 2026)
- ^ a b c Candolle, Alphonse de, & Candolle, Casimir de. (1878). Monographiæ phanerogamarum : Prodromi nunc continuatio, nunc revisio (Vol. 2, p. 208). vol.1-8, G. Masson ; vol.9, Masson & Cie. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/31869872
- ^ Gonatopus boivinii. (n.d.). Atlas of Florida Plants. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/5018
- ^ a b c d e f Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe’s Knees). (2024, February 16). Top Tropicals Plant Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/gonatopus_boivinii.htm
- ^ a b Singapore Government. (n.d.). Gonatopus boivinii (Decne.) Engl. NParks. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/5/5562
- ^ a b Tyler, A. (2024, June 21). Celebrate World Giraffe Day with a Twist: Discover the Giraffe’s Knees Plant! Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://cincinnatizoo.org/celebrate-world-giraffe-day-with-a-twist-discover-the-giraffes-knees-plant/
- ^ Gonatopus boivinii (GPSBO). (n.d.). EPPO Global Database. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/GPSBO
- ^ Giraffe’s Knees (Gonatopus boivinii). (n.d.). National Gardening Association. Retrieved January 4, 2026, from https://garden.org/plants/view/458751/Giraffes-Knees-Gonatopus-boivinii/
External links
- Media related to Gonatopus at Wikimedia Commons