''Virectaria'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...
s in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Rubiaceae
Rubiaceae () is a family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. It consists of terrestrial trees, shrubs, lianas, or herbs that are recognizable by simple, opposite leaves with Petiole ( ...
. The genus, known as ''Virecta'' until 1952, consists exclusively of tropical African species. It is a Guineo-Congolian genus, having its highest diversity in Lower Guinea but it also occurs in the Zambezian Region.
provided a revision in which he defined five species
but three more were added later.
In 2001, a detailed morphological and anatomical study of the genus was conducted and a taxonomic survey and a key to the species was provided.
Description
All species are herbaceous or semi-woody and possess a fruit dehiscence type that is unique for the family; the splitting into one persistent and one deciduous valve allows recognizing the genus at first glance. In habit, ''Virectaria'' strongly resembles African
Hedyotideae such as ''
Otomeria'' and ''
Parapentas'' but it lacks some diagnostic features of that tribe, viz. raphides, articulate hairs, heterostylous flowers and exotestal cells with only slight thickenings.
Cultivation and use
''
Virectaria major'' is frequently used in traditional medicine.
It is utilized to heal all kinds of disorders, varying from eye diseases to pneumonia. Most collectors report that decocted leaves are for healing wounds, which is reflected in the
Mahi vernacular name "Kalyabirondo", signifying "that which eats wounds".
Species
* ''
Virectaria angustifolia
''Virectaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the Family (biology), family Rubiaceae. The genus, known as ''Virecta'' until 1952, consists exclusively of tropical African species. It is a Guineo-Congolian genus, having its highest diversity in ...
''
( Hiern) Bremek.
* ''
Virectaria belingana''
N.Hallé
* ''
Virectaria herbacoursi''
N.Hallé
* ''
Virectaria major''
( K.Schum.) Verdc.
* ''
Virectaria multiflora''
(Sm.) Bremek.
* ''
Virectaria procumbens''
(Sm.) Bremek.
* ''
Virectaria salicoides''
(C.H.Wright) Bremek.
* ''
Virectaria tenella''
J.B..Hall
References
External links
World Checklist of RubiaceaePicture of ''Virectaria major'' at National Botanic Garden of Belgium
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7933687
Medicinal plants
Rubiaceae genera
Sabiceeae