SafePlants

Cyrtandra Species

Cyrtandra is a large and diverse genus within the plant family Gesneriaceae. This content provides information gathered from various sources, touching on different Cyrtandra species and their characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

• Several Cyrtandra species have fleshy leaves.
• Some species may have leaves with rough or sharp tips.

Considerations for Children

• Several Cyrtandra species have fleshy leaves.
• Some species may have leaves with rough or sharp tips.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Gesneriaceae
• The text mentions the historical classification of Old World Cyrtandraceae being united with the New World Gesneriaceae.

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus Cyrtandra is widespread, particularly in the Pacific islands.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia)
  • Hawai'i
  • Malaysia (rainforests)
  • Borneo
  • Samoa

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Growth habits range from creeping herbs to shrubs or small trees, potentially reaching 5 meters in height.
• Leaves:
  • Arrangement is usually opposite and decussate, but can also be alternate or whorled (rarely).
  • Leaves can be equal or unequal in size within a pair (iso- to strongly anisophyllous).
  • Leaf shape varies: elliptical-oblong, elliptic-oblanceolate, or elliptic.
  • Leaf texture ranges from thin (chartaceous) to leathery.
  • Leaf surfaces can be glabrous (smooth) to densely pubescent (hairy).
  • Leaf size can range from 1 cm to 28 cm in length.
  • Some species have thick, fleshy leaves.
  • In some cases, one leaf of a pair is significantly reduced in size (around 1 cm long).
• Some species exhibit cauliflorous inflorescences.

Specific Species

• Cyrtandra lysiosepala
  • Common Name: Oppositeleaf Cyrtandra
  • Habit: Shrub
  • Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic and petiolate.
• Cyrtandra longifolia var. degenerans (Synonym: Cyrtandra longifolia Hillebr. var. degenerans C. B. Clarke)
  • Characterized by glabrous, somewhat fleshy, elliptical-oblong, thick leaves.
• Cyrtandra uapouensis
  • Leaves are opposite, elliptic-oblanceolate to elliptic, and can be 19-28 cm long.
• Cyrtandra waiolani
  • Common Name: Ha'iwale leaf
  • Leaves are opposite, borne on upper nodes, unequal in size within a pair, elliptic, and chartaceous.
• Cyrtandra lessoniana
  • Common Name: Ha'iwale leaf
  • Leaves are opposite, borne on upper nodes, and usually unequal in size within a pair.
• Cyrtandra guerkeana
  • Samoan Name: None provided
  • English Name: None provided
• Cyrtandra lydgatei
  • Synonym: Cyrtandra lydgatei Hbd.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The taxonomic information for Cyrtandra lysiosepala is available from the British Database of World Flora and Fauna, which also includes data from the Family Noctuidae. (Suggesting possible interactions with moths).

Resources and Further Information

• Discover Life provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cyrtandra lysiosepala.