Metaplexis

Metaplexis
Metaplexis japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Genus: Metaplexis
R.Br.

Metaplexis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1810. As presently conceived, it contains two known species, both native to east Asia.[1][2]

Description

Metaplexis plants are vines that reach 8 m high; are rhizomatous and have underground woody organs that constitute a pattern. Leaf-blades are herbaceous, about 5–10 cm long and 4.6 cm wide, ovate, basally cordate, acute apex attenuated, adaxial glabrous and are abaxially sparsely pubescent.[2]

The inflorescences are extra-axillary, solitary, almost as long as the adjacent leaves. The plants have 6-20 flowers, simple, with the peduncle longer than the pedicels which are practically obsolete and slightly pubescent on the whole surface.[2]

Species[1]
  1. Metaplexis hemsleyana Oliv. - China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan)
  2. Metaplexis japonica Makino - widespread across much of China; also Korea, Japan, Russian Far East
formerly included[1]
  1. Metaplexis cavaleriei, syn of Marsdenia cavaleriei
  2. Metaplexis fimbriata, syn of Matelea cumanensis

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Plant List, Metaplexis
  2. 1 2 3 Flora of China Vol. 16 Page 204 èè—Šć±ž luo mo shu Metaplexis R. Brown, Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 48. 1810.
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