Gunniopsis

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Gunniopsis
Gunniopsis intermedia (8693024176).jpg
Gunniopsis intermedia flower
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Aizooideae
Genus: Gunniopsis
Pax

Gunniopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. These plants are found in areas of inland Australia. [1]

Gunniopis comprises 14 species [2] that were once members of the genera Aizoon , Gunnia and Neogunnia. [3]

The name of the genus honours the botanist and politician Ronald Campbell Gunn. The genus was first formally described by the botanist Ferdinand Pax in 1889 in Engler and Prantl's work Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien . [1] The name is derived from the Greek word opsis meaning resembling which alludes to the resemblance of the genus to the genus Gunnia . [4]

Members of this genus are succulents with the habit of a small shrub or herb. [5]

The plants are widespread throughout the eremaean zones of Western Australia and South Australia with some species extending into the areas in the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Found in arid areas the plants are often found in shrubland area with saline soils in and around salt lake systems. The shrub-like Gunniopsis quadrifida has the largest distribution of all the species. [3]

Species

The 14 recognised species belonging to the Gunniopsis genera [2] are listed below:

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<i>Gunniopsis intermedia</i> Species of succulent

Gunniopsis intermedia, commonly known as yellow salt star, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

Gunniopsis quadrifida, the Sturts pigface, is a plant endemic to Australia that is within the family Aizoaceae. This family consists of a diverse array of species that inhabit arid and/or saline coastal and inland areas, with the plants displaying leaf morphology that is conducive to such harsh environments. Typical features of members of this genus that lie within this family of succulents includes the presence of fleshy-leaves that acts as a water reservoir for the plant with the habit of a smalls shrub.

Gunniopsis calcarea, commonly known as the Nullarbor Gunniopsis or the yellow flowered pigface, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

Gunniopsis zygophylloides, commonly known as the twin-leaf pigface, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

Gunniopsis divisa is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Western Australia.

Gunniopsis calva, commonly known as the smooth pigface, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

Gunniopsis rubra is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Western Australia.

<i>Gunniopsis septifraga</i> Species of plant

Gunniopsis septifraga, commonly known as green pigface, is a species of flowering plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a prostrate to tuft-forming annual herb, with oblong to lance-shaped leaves and small greenish flowers, that grows around salt lakes.

Gunniopsis rodwayi is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Western Australia.

Gunniopsis tenuifolia, commonly known as the narrow-leaf pigface, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

<i>Gunniopsis papillata</i> Species of plant

Gunniopsis papillata, commonly known as the twin-leaved pigface, is a species of succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Australia. It is an annual herb with pimply, spatula-shaped to egg-shaped leaves and flowers with white or yellow petals.

Gunniopsis kochii, commonly known as the Koch's pigface, is a succulent plant in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 "Gunniopsis Pax". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Results". The Plant List. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 R.J.Chinnock (1983). "The Australian Genus Gunniopsis Pa" (PDF). Journal of Adelaide Botanical Gardens. State Herbarium of South Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  4. "Gunniopsis calcarea (Aizoaceae) Yellow-flowered Pigface". Seeds of South Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  5. "Gunniopsis". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.