Griffinia


Griffinia is a genus of Brazilian plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It includes 23 known species which are endemic to Brazil. The most closely related genus to it is the monotypic Worsleya.
The members of the genus Griffinia are tropical, bulbous plants which grow in high levels of humidity. The leaves are green, petiolate, elliptical, sometimes with white speckles on them. The flowers are typical for the tribe - lilac or blue colored and collected into an umbel. Many of the members in this genus are endangered because of the deforestation of their habitat.

Taxonomy

Griffinia was published by John Bellenden Ker in 1820 with Griffinia hyacinthina as the type species. The genus Hyline published by William Herbert in 1840 is now a synonym of Griffinia, but it was retained on the subgeneric level as the subgenus Griffinia subg. Hyline Rav. published by Pedro Felix Ravenna in 1969. The genus Libonia Lem. published by Charles Antoine Lemaire in 1852 is a synonym of ''Griffinia''

Subgenera

The genus Griffinia is divided into Griffinia subg. Hyline, in which only Griffinia gardneriana Ravenna and Griffinia nocturna Ravenna are placed, as well as the autonymous subgenus Griffinia subg. Griffinia, which includes all other species.

Species

As of June 2023, the genus comprises 23 species:
Several unplaced names exist:
  • Hyline itaobina Ravenna was published by Pedro Felix Ravenna in 2003.
  • Hyline paraensis Ravenna was published by Pedro Felix Ravenna in 2003.

    Conservation

Griffinia intermedia is categorized as endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is only known from two locations, in which the species, as well as its habitat is continually declining. An initiative has been taken to replicate the fragrance of Griffinia gardneriana, which is threatened with extinction, for the creation of a perfume. The sale of the perfume is meant to financially contribute to the conservation effort for this species.