Nolinoideae Explained

Nolinoideae is a monocot subfamily of the family Asparagaceae in the APG III system of 2009. It used to be treated as a separate family, Ruscaceae s.l. The family name is derived from the generic name of the type genus, Nolina.

The subfamily includes genera that had been placed in a range of different families, including Ruscaceae s.s., Nolinaceae, Dracaenaceae, Convallariaceae and Eriospermaceae. Like many groups of lilioid monocots, the genera included here were once included in a wide interpretation of the family Liliaceae.

Genera

A possibly incomplete list of the genera included in the Nolinoideae is given below. The reference is to the source which places the genus in this subfamily. The genera included here have varied widely in their limits and assignment to families and subfamilies; some former family placements other than Nolinoideae (which will be found in the literature) are given below.

GenusFormer family placement(s) other than Ruscaceae s.l.
Aspidistra Ker Gawl.
(including Antherolophus Gagnep., Colania Gagnep.)
Convallariaceae
Beaucarnea Lem. Dracaenaceae, Agavaceae
Calibanus Rose Dracaenaceae, Agavaceae
Comospermum Rauschert Anthericaceae
Convallaria L. Convallariaceae
Danae Medik.
Dasylirion Zucc. Dracaenaceae
Disporopsis Hance Convallariaceae
Dracaena Vand. ex L. Dracaenaceae, Agavaceae
Eriospermum Jacq. Eriospermaceae
Heteropolygonatum M.N.Tamura & Ogisu Convallariaceae
Liriope Lour. Convallariaceae
Maianthemum F.H.Wigg.
(including Oligobotrya Baker, Smilacina Desf.)
Convallariaceae
Nolina Michx. Dracaenaceae
Ophiopogon Ker Gawl. Convallariaceae
Peliosanthes Andrews Convallariaceae
Polygonatum Mill. Convallariaceae
Reineckea Kunth Convallariaceae
Rohdea Roth
(including Gonioscypha Baker)
Convallariaceae
Ruscus L.
Sansevieria Thunb. Dracaenaceae
Semele Kunth
Speirantha Baker Convallariaceae
Theropogon Maxim. Convallariaceae
Tupistra Ker Gawl.
(including Campylandra Baker, Tricalistra Ridl.)
Convallariaceae

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