| Lanaria | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Lanariaceae H.Huber ex.R.Dahlgren &A.E.van Wyk[3] |
| Genus: | Lanaria Aiton[2] |
| Species: | L. lanata |
| Binomial name | |
| Lanaria lanata (L.) T.Durand & Schinz[1] | |
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| Distribution map | |
| Synonyms | |
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Lanaria is amonotypicgenus offlowering plants containing a single species,Lanaria lanata, endemic to the southern coast of South Africa where it is associated with thefynbos belt.[4][5][6]Lanaria lanata is commonly known asCape edelweiss orlambtails. The genus is placed in the monotypicfamilyLanariaceae,[2] a family only recently recognized by taxonomists. TheAPG IV system of 2016 (unchanged from the1998, the2003 and2009 versions) does recognize this family.[7][3]
This species occurs on clay and sandstone soils throughout its distribution range. The stiff, ribbed leaves arise from a woody rootstock and are evergreen, channelled, and finely serrate along the margins. The densely woolly, white heads enclose mauve flowers and are peculiar to the species. Flowering is profuse following fires.
Both 'lanaria' and 'lanata' are derived from 'lana', Latin for 'wool'.
The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is comparatively rich in endemic flowering-plant families. Five families of angiosperms (Penaeaceae, Roridulaceae, Geissolomataceae, Grubbiaceae, and Lanariaceae) are endemic to that region ...
