Rytigynia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is found in tropical and southern Africa. The genera Rytigynia and Fadogia form a strongly supported clade but neither of these genera is monophyletic.
Distribution Rytigynia is found in Tropical Africa. R. senegalensis and R. umbellulata are the two most widespread species and they are found from Senegal to Sudan to Botswana. R. celastroides has the southernmost distribution and occurs as far south as KwaZulu-Natal. However, most species are more restricted in distribution area and they are often found in either West or East Africa. Half of the species is even endemic to one country. One-third of all Rytigynia species is found in Tanzania, and many of them are endemics.
Bacterial leaf symbiosis Endophytic bacteria are housed in the intercellular space of the leaf mesophyll tissue. The presence of these bacteria can only be microscopically ascertained. The bacteria are identified as Burkholderia, which is a genus that is also found in the leaves of other Rubiaceae species. The hypothesis is that these endophytic bacteria provide chemical protection against insect herbivory.
Species
Rytigynia acuminatissima (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia adenodonta (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia argentea (Wernham) Robyns Rytigynia bagshawei (S.Moore) Robyns Rytigynia beniensis (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia binata (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia bomiliensis (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia bridsoniae Verdc. Rytigynia bugoyensis (K.Krause) Verdc. Rytigynia canthioides (Benth.) Robyns Rytigynia caudatissima Verdc. Rytigynia celastroides (Baill.) Verdc. Rytigynia claessensii (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia claviflora Robyns Rytigynia congesta (K.Krause) Robyns Rytigynia constricta Robyns Rytigynia dasyothamnus (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia decussata (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia demeusei (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia dewevrei (De Wild. & T.Durand) Robyns Rytigynia dichasialis Lantz & Gereau Rytigynia dubiosa (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia eickii (K.Schum. & K.Krause) Bullock Rytigynia erythroxyloides (Baill.) A.P.Davis & Govaerst Rytigynia ferruginea Robyns Rytigynia flavida Robyns Rytigynia glabrifolia (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia gossweileri Robyns Rytigynia gracilipetiolata (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia griseovelutina Verdc. Rytigynia hirsutiflora Verdc. Rytigynia humbertii Cavaco Rytigynia ignobilis Verdc. Rytigynia kigeziensis Verdc. Rytigynia kiwuensis (K.Krause) Robyns Rytigynia krauseana Robyns Rytigynia laurentii (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia lecomtei Robyns Rytigynia leonensis (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia lewisii Tennant Rytigynia liberica Robyns Rytigynia lichenoxenos (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia longicaudata Verdc. Rytigynia longipedicellata Verdc. Rytigynia longituba Verdc. Rytigynia macrostipulata Robyns Rytigynia macrura Verdc. Rytigynia madagascariensis Homolle ex Cavaco Rytigynia mayumbensis Robyns Rytigynia membranacea (Hiern) Robyns Rytigynia monantha (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia mrimaensis Verdc. Rytigynia mutabilis Robyns Rytigynia neglecta (Hiern) Robyns Rytigynia nigerica (S.Moore) Robyns Rytigynia nodulosa (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia obscura Robyns Rytigynia orbicularis (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia parvifolia Verdc. Rytigynia pauciflora (Schweinf. ex Hiern) R.D.Good Rytigynia pawekiae Verdc. Rytigynia pergracilis Verdc. Rytigynia pseudolongicaudata Verdc. Rytigynia pubescens Verdc. Rytigynia rhamnoides Robyns Rytigynia rubiginosa (K.Schum.) Robyns Rytigynia rubra Robyns Rytigynia ruwenzoriensis (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia saliensis Verdc. Rytigynia sambavensis Cavaco Rytigynia senegalensis Blume Rytigynia setosa Robyns Rytigynia seyrigii Cavaco Rytigynia squamata (De Wild.) Robyns Rytigynia stolzii Robyns Rytigynia subbiflora (Mildbr.) Robyns Rytigynia syringifolia (Baker) A.P.Davis & Govaerts Rytigynia torrei Verdc. Rytigynia uhligii (K.Schum. & K.Krause) Verdc. Rytigynia umbellulata (Hiern) Robyns Rytigynia verruculosa (K.Krause) Robyns Rytigynia xanthotricha (K.Schum.) Verdc.
References
External links Rytigynia in the World Checklist of Rubiaceae Rytigynia At:Index Nominum Genericorum At: References At: NMNH Department of Botany