Crinum is a genus of about 180 species of perennial plants that have large showy flowers on leafless stems, and develop from bulbs. They are found in seasonally moist areas, including marshes, swamps, depressions and along the sides of streams and lakes in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.

Crinum
Crinum asiaticum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Subtribe: Crininae
Genus: Crinum
L.[1]
Type species
Crinum americanum
L.
Species

About 180 species, see text.

Description

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Crinum leaves are basal, typically long and strap-shaped, with colors ranging from light green to green.

Cytological studies have shown that 27 species of Crinum are diploid, having a typical chromosome count of 2n = 22. Abilio Fernandes found that the Orange River Crinum bulbispermum had a count of 2n = 66, and some desert Crinum macowanii 2n = 44. These polyploid species produce seeds that are often parthenogenetic triploid or diploids, lack vigour and seldom grow to mature plants.[2]

Taxonomy

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As of July 2014, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families lists 105 species of Crinum.[3] Amongst these are:

Formerly placed here

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Hybrids

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  • × Amarcrinum hybridised with Amaryllis
  • C. × powellii[5] (garden hybrid between C. bulbispermum and C. moorei) - pale pink, fragrant, lily-like flowers produced in late summer
    • C. × powellii 'Album'[6] (white flowered cultivar)

Uses

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Several species are used in aquariums and in aquascaping. These include Crinum calamistratum, Crinum malabaricum, Crinum natans, and Crinum thaianum.[7]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Genus: Crinum L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2010-01-27. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  2. ^ "A Systematic Revision of the Genus Crinum". Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  3. ^ "Search for Crinum", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2014-07-07
  4. ^ "GRIN Species Records of Crinum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Crinum × powellii". Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  6. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Crinum × powellii 'Album'". Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  7. ^ Kasselmann, Christel (2020). Aquarium Plants. Teltow, Germany. pp. 210–214. ISBN 978-3-00-064912-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Bibliography

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