| Kewa | |
|---|---|
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| Kewa acida | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Kewaceae Christenh. |
| Genus: | Kewa Christenh. |
| Species | |
Seetext | |
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| Distribution ofKewa species by country[1] | |
Kewa is agenus offlowering plants, consisting of eight species[2] of succulent sub-woody plants, native to eastern and southern Africa, includingSaint Helena andMadagascar. These are smallshrubs orherbs that form cushions and have edible, acid-tasting leaves.Kewa is the only genus in the familyKewaceae.[1]
The species were formerly included in the genusHypertelis of the familyMolluginaceae, but molecular studies have shown that most species did not belong there, but were rather distantly related to Molluginaceae, being placed in a clade comprisingAizoaceae,Gisekiaceae andBarbeuiaceae. Only thetype speciesHypertelis spergulacea remains in Molluginaceae; all others are transferred to the genusKewa, which was named forKew, where theRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew are situated.[1]
Species transferred toKewa fromHypertelis in 2014 were:[1]
Plants are perennial but relatively short lived. They can easily be propagated from seed and make attractive cushion-like shrubs with leathery leaves and many starry white flowers.
