Mathieua

Mathieua is a genus of South American plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. It contains only one known species, Mathieua galanthoides, native to Peru but reportedly extinct.^[2][3][4][5]

Mathieua
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Amaryllidaceae
Genus:	Mathieua Klotzsch
Species:	M. galanthoides
Binomial name
Mathieua galanthoides Klotzsch
It was endemic to Peru[1]
Synonyms[2]
Eucharis galanthoides (Klotzsch) Planch. & Linden Urceolina galanthoides (Klotzsch) Traub

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Mathieua galanthoides is a bulbous herb with ovate, tunicate bulbs.^[3] The ovate leaves have a long petiole.^[6]

Generative characteristics

The scapose inflorescence with a glabrous, erect, green scape bears 3–4 sessile flowers. The flowers are white with green towards the apex. The androecium consists of 6 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 3 carpels. The short stigma is trilobed.^[3]

Taxonomy

The genus and species were first described by Johann Friedrich Klotzsch in 1853.^[3][5] The holotype specimen is a single flower without ovary.^[7]

Etymology

The generic name Mathieua honours Louis Mathieu. The flowers resemble those of Galanthus.^[3]

Ecology

Habitat

It occurred in a region of sparse, xeric woodlands.^[7]