Cheilotheca Explained

Cheilotheca is a small genus of myco-heterotrophic plants in the family (Ericaceae). As currently circumscribed the group includes three species.^[1]

Etymology

The genus was named by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1876.^[2] The name is derived from the Greek word "cheilos", meaning a lip or an edge. The "theca" is a Latin term, meaning covering or sheath. Together they essentially mean "lipped sheath".

Taxonomy

Based on morphological analyses, Cheilotheca has been placed in the Ericaceae subfamily Monotropoideae.^[3] The exact placement of Cheilotheca within the Monotropoideae is still unknown, but morphologically the genus most closely resembles Monotropa and Monotropastrum.

List of species

• Cheilotheca khasiana Hook.f.
• Cheilotheca malayana Scort. ex Hook.f.
• Cheilotheca sleumerana H.Keng

External links

• Cheilotheca at The Plant List
• Cheilotheca at the Encyclopedia of Life
• Cheilotheca at the Flora of Taiwan Checklist

Notes and References

1. The Plant List. Cheilotheca. Searched November 2011. http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Ericaceae/Cheilotheca/
2. Bentham, G., Hooker, J.D. (1876) Genera Plantarum Vol. 2. Reeve & Co., London.
3. Kron, K.A., Judd, W.S., Stevens, P.F., Crayn, D.M., Anderberg, A.A., Gadek, P.A., Quinn, C.J., Luteyn, J.L. 2002. Phylogenetic classification of Ericaceae: molecular and morphological evidence. Botanical Review 68: 335-423.