Otoptera

Otoptera is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It includes two species native to southern Africa and Madagascar.^[1] It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. According to Moteetee and Van Wyk, the generic name Otoptera is derived from a characteristic spur at the base of each wing petal and is derived from the Greek oto meaning 'ear' and ptero meaning 'wing'.^[2] The proper words in ancient Greek for 'ear' and 'wing' are however oûs, genitive ōtós (οὖς, genitive ὠτός) and pterón (πτερόν).^[3] Members of the Otoptera genus can be identified by the spur at the base of the petals and spoon shaped styles with two distinct lips.^[2]

Otoptera
Flowers of O. burchellii, Namibia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Tribe:	Phaseoleae
Genus:	Otoptera DC. (1826)
Species[1]
2; see text

The genus contains two species; Otoptera burchellii which is native to areas of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe^[4] and Otoptera madagascariensis which is native to parts of Madagascar.^[5]

Species

• Otoptera burchellii DC.
• Otoptera madagascariensis R.Vig.