Pancratium
Pancratium maritimum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Amaryllidoideae
Genus: Pancratium
Dill. ex L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Halmyra Herb.
  • Tiaranthus Herb.
  • Zouchia Raf.
  • Bollaea Parl.
  • Almyra Salisb.
  • Chapmanolirion Dinter
  • Mizonia A.Chev.

Pancratium is a genus of African and Eurasian perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae[2][3][4]

The flowers are large, white and fragrant. The perianth tube and the corona are present. It differs from the similar Hymenocallis in its numerous seeds with a thin black skin.[5] Plants belonging to the genus Pancratium have been found in prehistoric Cretan frescoes.[6]

Etymology

The name "Pancratium" is derived from the Greek and means "all-strength", probably referring to the strength of a plant that can tolerate extreme climates. Pancratium species often inhabit extremely dry and sandy areas.[7]

Species

Many species have been published using the name Pancratium, but most have been transferred to other genera (Clinanthus, Hymenocallis, Ismene, Proiphys and Stenomesson).[1] Only a few species are cultivated. P. maritimum and P. illyricum being the hardiest for outdoor cultivation, but shy flowering in cool areas. P. zeylanicum is sometimes grown as a hothouse container plant.[citation needed]

As of June 2023, Plants of the World Online of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew accepted 24 species in the genus:[1]

Additionally, further species have been recently described:

Ecology

Pollination ecology

Pancratium tenuifolium and Pancratium maritimum is pollinated by the moth species Agrius convolvuli.[10][11][12][13][14] In Pancratium maritimum pollination by bees, namely Xylocopa violacea, Apis mellifera, and Anthophora bimaculata, has also been reported.[14] However, it has been stated that bees are not effective pollinators of this species and that it fully depends on hawkmoths for effective pollination.[15]

Herbivory

The moth species Brithys crini feeds on Pancratium maritimum in the larval stage.[16]

  • Brythis crini feeding on Pancratium maritimum within the leaf itself in Playa del Serradal, Castellón
    Brythis crini feeding on Pancratium maritimum within the leaf itself in Playa del Serradal, Castellón
  • The Convolvulus hawk moth Agrius convolvuli, an effective pollinator of Pancratium
    The Convolvulus hawk moth Agrius convolvuli, an effective pollinator of Pancratium

References

  1. ^ a b c "Pancratium Dill. ex L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  2. ^ Stevens, P. F., Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Asparagales: Amaryllidoideae
  3. ^ Altervista Flora Italiana, genere Pancratium
  4. ^ El-Hadidy, Azza; Abd El-Ghani, Monier; Amer, Wafaa; Hassan, Rania (26 April 2011). "Systematic Revision of the Genus Pancratium L. (Amaryllidaceae) in Egypt with a New Addition". Nolulae Scientia Biologicae. 3 (2): 24–38. doi:10.15835/NSB325612.
  5. ^ Synge, P. M. (1961). Collins Guide to Bulbs. Collins. ISBN 0-00-214016-0.
  6. ^ Kandeler, R.; Ullrich, W. R. (6 January 2009). "Symbolism of plants: examples from European-Mediterranean culture presented with biology and history of art: FEBRUARY: Sea-daffodil and narcissus". Journal of Experimental Botany. 60 (2): 353–355. doi:10.1093/jxb/erp012. PMID 19264756.
  7. ^ Walters, S. M. (1986). The European Garden Flora, Vol. 1. Pteridophyta; Gymnospermae; Angiospermae — Alismataceae to Iridaceae. ISBN 0-521-24859-0.
  8. ^ Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Pancratium tenuifolium Hochst. ex A.Rich. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/04/07
  9. ^ Prameela, R., Padal, S. B., & Rao, M. S. (2022). A new species of Pancratium Dill. ex L.(Amaryllidaceae) from Eastern Ghats of India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 14(3), 20801-20804.
  10. ^ Martins, D. J., & Johnson, S. D. (2013). "Interactions between hawkmoths and flowering plants in East Africa: polyphagy and evolutionary specialization in an ecological context." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 110(1), 199-213.
  11. ^ Martins, D. J., & Johnson, S. D. (2007). "Hawkmoth pollination of aerangoid orchids in Kenya, with special reference to nectar sugar concentration gradients in the floral spurs." American journal of botany, 94(4), 650-659.
  12. ^ Furió-Vita, D., & Miñana, M. D. M. A. (2022). "Conceptualización del proyecto de El Bosque: Una experiencia concebida por capas: del pensamiento teórico a su representación visual." TECHNO REVIEW. International Technology, Science and Society Review/Revista Internacional de Tecnología, Ciencia y Sociedad, 11(2.2), 1-14.
  13. ^ Kwembeya, E. G. (2021). Tracking biological footprints of climate change using flowering phenology of the geophytes: Pancratium tenuifolium and Scadoxus multiflorus. International Journal of Biometeorology, 65(4), 577-586.
  14. ^ a b Kahraman, B. (2016). "İzmir ili Pancratıum maritimum L.(Amaryllidaceae)(Kum zambağı) popülasyonlarının belirlenmesi ve tozlaşma biyolojisi" (Master's thesis, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü).
  15. ^ Eisikowitch, D., & Galil, J. (1971). Effect of Wind on the Pollination of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) by Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Journal of Animal Ecology, 40(3), 673–678. https://doi.org/10.2307/3444
  16. ^ Zilli, A., PERIA, E., BALDI, G., & PAVESI, F. (2014). "The Macromoths of a coastal marsh habitat in Central Italy." Monitoring of rock partridge (Alectoris graeca) in Latium Lepidoptera italica.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pancratium.
Taxon identifiers
Categories