Re: [IGSROBIN] Hypsiocharis

Robin,


Richard Clifton (no e-mail I'm afraid), of the Geraniaceae Group, produced
the definitive "Checklist" of the Genus in 1994, which is available from
from the Geraniaceae Group in the UK,
<www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/3139> for information. (The website
editor is long-time IGSrobin member Marisa.)

Apparently it is not yet 100% certain if in Geraniaceae, or if Oxalidaceae.
The Genus originator  Remy  placed it in Geraniaceae (1847?) but  because it
has more than one seed in each loculus of the ovary, the other Geraniaceae
genera have only one, it was thought better in Oxalidaceae. However,
otherwise it apparently has more in common with the Geraniaceae.

From the Checklist:
"The Genus is endemic to Americas - Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, usually at
high altitudes... . ....stemless plants of a rosette of leaves always
pinnate... . ...inflorescence 1 or many flowered, an extending cyme; flowers
with 5 equal petals, symmetrical, and 15 stamens fused at the base in a
collar... ."

There appear to be 9 species and two varieties, described in detail in the
Checklist, but no photos. Geraniaceae group member  David Rossi (no e-mail
I'm afraid), in Italy, corresponded with Richard and supplied him with some
photographs I believe. Alby has a photograph of Hypsiocharis bilobata on his
page on Hypsiocharis <www.bigpond.com/SCRIVENS/page3.2.html>, which lists
the species names.

I've never seen a plant myself.

David
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