| Melianthus | |
|---|---|
| |
| M. major | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Geraniales |
| Family: | Francoaceae |
| Genus: | Melianthus L. |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Diplerisma Planch. | |
Melianthus is a genus of flowering plants native to elevated grassland in South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia. A common name for these plants is honey flower, which is also the English translation of the Latin name.[2] This name also attaches to the species M. comosus and M. major that are found in cultivation.
The genus contains up to six species of evergreen shrubs. They have large pinnate leaves with prominent stipules, and erect racemes of nectar-rich flowers.[3] The vegetative parts are very toxic.[4]
Species
Six species are accepted.[1]
- Melianthus comosus Vahl
- Melianthus dregeanus Sond.
- Melianthus elongatus Wijnands
- Melianthus major L.
- Melianthus pectinatus Harv.
- Melianthus villosus Bolus
References
- ^ a b "Melianthus L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ^ Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. pp. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ Hansen, Dennis M.; Olesen, Jens M.; Mione, Thomas; Johnson, Steven D.; Müller, Christine B. (2007). "Coloured nectar: distribution, ecology, and evolution of an enigmatic floral trait" (PDF). Biological Reviews. 82 (1): 83–111. doi:10.1111/j.1469-185X.2006.00005.x. PMID 17313525. S2CID 21719506. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
External links
- Planz Africa website on Melianthus major
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