Rufodorsia is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus name refers to the reddish back of the upper lobes of the flower. The relationship of Rufodorsia with the genus Oerstedina is uncertain, as of April 2021. It is native to montane cloud forest in Central America.
Rufodorsia species are epiphytic perennial plants, with little-branched upright or hanging stems. The leaves are opposite and of similar sizes with a leathery blade. The inflorescence is an axillary cyme with one to ten flowers. The flowers are short, with fused petals forming a bell shape. The free ends of the petals (lobes) differ: the lowest is larger, making the flower appear two-lipped. The flower is whitish, except for the back of the upper two lobes which is reddish. There are four stamens, included within the flower. The fruit is an almost translucent white berry with fleshy pulp.[2]
The genus was erected by Hans Joachim Wiehler in 1975 for four species, three new and one originally described in the genus Besleria. The genus name is derived from Latin rufus 'red' and dorsum 'back', referring to the reddish back of the flowers.[2] Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown a sister relationship to the genus Oerstedina,[3][4] and in 2010, Ricardo Kriebel transferred one species from Oerstedina to Rufodorsia as Rufodorsia cerricola.[5] However, the other two species of Oerstedina have not been formally transferred as of April 2021,[6][7] so the two genera are not fully synonymized.
Four species were originally placed in the genus,[2] and are recognized in a 2020 list of New World members of the family Gesneriaceae,[8] as well as by Plants of the World Online as of April 2021:[1]
One additional species transferred from Oerstedina is accepted by Plants of the World Online as of April 2021:[1]
The four original species of Rufodorsia are native to Central America, from Nicaragua through Costa Rica to Panama. They are found in montane cloud forest and sub-cloud forest at altitudes of 450–1,500 m (1,500–4,900 ft), R. major at the lowest levels and R. congestiflora at the highest.[2]
Rufodorsia is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus name refers to the reddish back of the upper lobes of the flower. The relationship of Rufodorsia with the genus Oerstedina is uncertain, as of April 2021. It is native to montane cloud forest in Central America.
Rufodorsia es un género con cuatro especies de plantas herbáceas perteneciente a la familia Gesneriaceae.[1] Es originario de América.
Son hierbas o arbustos epífitas. El tallo es erecto, ascendente o decumbente, con pocas ramas. Las hojas son opuestas, membranosas, suculentas o subcoriáceas, pecioladas. La inflorescencia en cimas axilares, con pocas a varias flores, congestionados. Corola generalmente de color blanco los lóbulos y rojizo en el lado superior del tubo. El fruto es una baya blanca. Las semillas carnosas y estriadas. El número de cromosomas : 2n = 18.[2]
Se distribuyen por Panamá y Costa Rica donde se encuentran como epífitas en hábitats forestales.
El nombre del género deriva de las palabras latinas rufus = rojo, rojizo, y dorso = espalda, en alusión a la parte posterior rojiza de la corola.
Rufodorsia es un género con cuatro especies de plantas herbáceas perteneciente a la familia Gesneriaceae. Es originario de América.
Rufodorsia é um género botânico pertencente à família Gesneriaceae[1].
Rufodorsia é um género botânico pertencente à família Gesneriaceae.