Genus of flowering plants
Corytoplectus is a genus in the plant family Gesneriaceae. Plants from "Corytoplectus" are found in Bolivia, Brazil North, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, southwestern Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, in the cloud-forests of the high cordillera. The genus contains c. 12 species. The genus differs from the closely related "Alloplectus" in having an erect umbellate inflorescence and berries. The type species is "C. capitatus".
Description.
"Corytoplectus" species are herbs or shrubs ranging from 0.5–2 m tall. The stems are erect and subquadrangular, but becoming quadrangular near the top. The fruit is a translucent berry with dark striate (with parallel longitudinal ridges or lines) seeds. The leaves have dark green upper surfaces with veins which are paler. The inflorescences are mostly erect.
Etymology.
According to Rodriques-Flores and Skog, "Corytoplectus" derives from the Latin (leather pouch) and (pleated or folded). They believe the name to be suitable, because, in profile, the calyces look like pleated leather pouches. However, an alternative view says that rather than deriving from the Latin , the name derives from the Greek (helmet), giving "pleated helmet".
Species.
12 species are accepted.
References.
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