''Baeometra'' is a genus in the family

Colchicaceae Colchicaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes 15 genera with a total of about 285 known species according to Christenhusz and Byng in 2016. Description The family is characterized by the presence of colchicine. Taxonomy The APG III ...

containing a single species, ''Baeometra uniflora''. It is native to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals. The genus was erected when the British botanist Richard Salisbury described the species "''Baeometra columellaris''" in 1812, although the plant had already been discovered, described and painted in 1793 by the Austrian botanist

Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin (16 February 172726 October 1817) was a scientist who studied medicine, chemistry and botany. Biography Born in Leiden in the Netherlands, he studied medicine at Leiden University, then moved first to P ...

under the name ''Melanthium uniflorum''. The correct name for the species was thus settled in 1941 by the South African botanist

Gwendolyn Lewis Gwendolyn is a feminine given name, a variant spelling of '' Gwendolen'' (perhaps influenced by names such as ''Carolyn'', ''Evelyn'' and '' Marilyn''). This has been the most popular spelling in the United States. Notable people called Gwendoly ...

to be ''Baeometra uniflora'' (Salisb.) G.J.Lewis. The epithet means "single-flowered", which is contradicted by the fact that the stem usually bears at least two yellowish flowers. The species is related to the genus '' Wurmbea'', which is present in southern Africa and Australia, and is known to be a poisonous plant containing the alkaloid

colchicine Colchicine is a medication used to treat gout and Behçet's disease. In gout, it is less preferred to NSAIDs or steroids. Other uses for colchicine include the management of pericarditis and familial Mediterranean fever. Colchicine is tak ...

. It has been introduced to Australia, where it is considered to be an invasive and unwanted addition to the local flora.Hussey, B.M.J. Keighery, G.J. (1997). Western weeds : a guide to the weeds of Western Australia. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia. Victoria Park, W.A.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q4841288 Colchicaceae Flora of South Africa Monotypic Liliales genera Colchicaceae genera