Rytigynia


Rytigynia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is found in tropical and southern Africa. The genera Rytigynia and Fadogia form a strongly supported clade but neither of these genera is monophyletic.

Distribution

Rytigynia is found in Tropical Africa. R. senegalensis and R. umbellulata are the two most widespread species and they are found from Senegal to Sudan to Botswana. R. celastroides has the southernmost distribution and occurs as far south as KwaZulu-Natal. However, most species are more restricted in distribution area and they are often found in either West or East Africa. Half of the species is even endemic to one country. One-third of all Rytigynia species is found in Tanzania, and many of them are endemics.

Bacterial leaf symbiosis

Endophytic bacteria are housed in the intercellular space of the leaf mesophyll tissue. The presence of these bacteria can only be microscopically ascertained. The bacteria are identified as Burkholderia, which is a genus that is also found in the leaves of other Rubiaceae species. The hypothesis is that these endophytic bacteria provide chemical protection against insect herbivory.

Species

Rytigynia acuminatissima RobynsRytigynia adenodonta RobynsRytigynia argentea RobynsRytigynia bagshawei RobynsRytigynia beniensis RobynsRytigynia binata RobynsRytigynia bomiliensis RobynsRytigynia bridsoniae Verdc.Rytigynia bugoyensis Verdc.Rytigynia canthioides RobynsRytigynia caudatissima Verdc.Rytigynia celastroides Verdc.Rytigynia claessensii RobynsRytigynia claviflora RobynsRytigynia congesta RobynsRytigynia constricta RobynsRytigynia dasyothamnus RobynsRytigynia decussata RobynsRytigynia demeusei RobynsRytigynia dewevrei RobynsRytigynia dichasialis Lantz & GereauRytigynia dubiosa RobynsRytigynia eickii BullockRytigynia erythroxyloides A.P.Davis & GovaerstRytigynia ferruginea RobynsRytigynia flavida RobynsRytigynia glabrifolia RobynsRytigynia gossweileri RobynsRytigynia gracilipetiolata RobynsRytigynia griseovelutina Verdc.Rytigynia hirsutiflora Verdc.Rytigynia humbertii CavacoRytigynia ignobilis Verdc.Rytigynia kigeziensis Verdc.Rytigynia kiwuensis RobynsRytigynia krauseana RobynsRytigynia laurentii RobynsRytigynia lecomtei RobynsRytigynia leonensis RobynsRytigynia lewisii TennantRytigynia liberica RobynsRytigynia lichenoxenos RobynsRytigynia longicaudata Verdc.Rytigynia longipedicellata Verdc.Rytigynia longituba Verdc.Rytigynia macrostipulata RobynsRytigynia macrura Verdc.Rytigynia madagascariensis Homolle ex CavacoRytigynia mayumbensis RobynsRytigynia membranacea RobynsRytigynia monantha RobynsRytigynia mrimaensis Verdc.Rytigynia mutabilis RobynsRytigynia neglecta RobynsRytigynia nigerica RobynsRytigynia nodulosa RobynsRytigynia obscura RobynsRytigynia orbicularis RobynsRytigynia parvifolia Verdc.Rytigynia pauciflora R.D.GoodRytigynia pawekiae Verdc.Rytigynia pergracilis Verdc.Rytigynia pseudolongicaudata Verdc.Rytigynia pubescens Verdc.Rytigynia rhamnoides RobynsRytigynia rubiginosa RobynsRytigynia rubra RobynsRytigynia ruwenzoriensis RobynsRytigynia saliensis Verdc.Rytigynia sambavensis CavacoRytigynia senegalensis BlumeRytigynia setosa RobynsRytigynia seyrigii CavacoRytigynia squamata RobynsRytigynia stolzii RobynsRytigynia subbiflora RobynsRytigynia syringifolia A.P.Davis & GovaertsRytigynia torrei Verdc.Rytigynia uhligii Verdc.Rytigynia umbellulata RobynsRytigynia verruculosa RobynsRytigynia xanthotricha Verdc.