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marcgravia
Scientific Name: Marcgravia
Family: Marcgraviaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Marcgravia: The Shingle Vine and Its Relatives
The genus Marcgravia belongs to the family Marcgraviaceae and comprises various fascinating flowering vine species. They are native to the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and South America.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species, like Marcgravia rectiflora, are kept in vivariums.
Considerations for Children
- Some species, like Marcgravia rectiflora, are kept in terrariums and homes.
Scientific Classification
- Genus: Marcgravia L.
- Family: Marcgraviaceae
- Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Type Species: Marcgravia umbellata L.
Nomenclature and Synonyms
- Synonym for Marcgravia trinitatis: Marcgravia trinitatis auct. non C. Presl
- Synonym: Marcgravia brittoniana Alain
Common Names
- Shingle Vine
- Shingle Plant
- Monkey Paws (for Marcgravia umbellata)
- Bejuco de (Specific to Marcgravia brittoniana)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and South America.
- Specific locations include:
- Lesser Antilles islands
- Puerto Rico
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Cuba (for Marcgravia rectiflora)
- WC-Brazil (Distrito Federal)
- SE-Brazil (Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro)
- S-Brazil (Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul)
- Peru (for Marcgravia coriacea and Marcgravia crenata)
- Some species are indigenous hemiepiphytes of lower montane regions.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Woody vines, often epiphytic.
- Climbing habit.
- Some species have vegetative shoots with 2-ranked closely appressed sessile leaves.
- Young leaves of Marcgravia rectifolia are noted for their striking colors.
Ecological Role
- Pollination facilitated by birds and bats, utilizing specialized pitcher-like nectaries.
- Inflorescences are adapted for cross-pollination.
- Marcgravia evenia relies on bats for pollination and have adapted to use echolocation due to the bat's limited eyesight.
Quirky Facts
- One source humorously describes Marcgravia as the "MacGyver of pollination," suggesting its ability to adapt and utilize unique pollination strategies.
Species Examples
- Marcgravia umbellata
- Marcgravia evenia
- Marcgravia rectiflora
- Marcgravia sintenisii
- Marcgravia atropunctata de Roon
- Marcgravia crassiflora
- Marcgravia nepenthoides
- Marcgravia coriacea
- Marcgravia crenata
- Marcgravia cryptocentra
- Marcgravia nervosa
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Pollination by birds and bats.
- Bat visits to the inflorescences of Marcgravia pittieri have been recorded.
Further Information
- Linnaean Herbarium
- Discover Life
- PlantSystematics.org
- ResearchGate
- WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species)
- EEB Greenhouse Accession Data