Uncarina


Uncarina, also called succulent sesame, mousetrap plant, or local names include farehitra or farehitsy, is a genus of semi-succulent flowering plants in the Pedaliaceae found in Madagascar. As most species within the genus are inhabitants of dry, semi-arid or seasonally-dry regions, many mature into water-storing pachycauls, or "caudiciformes"—a common colloquial term to describe plants that normally inhabit drier climates and develop a large, woody base, or "foot", known as a caudex. In these species, a plant's lower half gradually accumulates and stores water ; over time, the caudex changes shape, swelling to an often impressive size, as it adds to its own moisture "reservoir" for future periods of drought. In addition to Uncarina, many other caudex-forming genera can be found on Madagascar as well as beyond, such as Adenium, Beaucarnea, Dioscorea, Euphorbia, Gerrardanthus, Pachypodium and Stephania, among others.

Etymology

The genera name is derived from the Greek word unca meaning hook.

Species

Species include:
ImageScientific nameDistribution
Uncarina abbreviata Ihlenf. & StrakaMadagascar
Uncarina decaryi Humbert ex Ihlenf.Madagascar
Uncarina grandidieri StapfMadagascar
Uncarina ihlenfeldtiana LavranosMadagascar
Uncarina leandrii HumbertMadagascar
Uncarina leptocarpa Ihlenf. & StrakaMadagascar
Uncarina peltata StapfMadagascar
Uncarina perrieri HumbertMadagascar
Uncarina roeoesliana RauhMadagascar
Uncarina sakalava HumbertMadagascar
Uncarina stellulifera HumbertMadagascar
Uncarina turicana LavranosMadagascar