Corytoplectus is a genus in the plant family Gesneriaceae. Plants from Corytoplectus are found in Bolivia, Brazil North, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, southwestern Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, in the cloud-forests of the high cordillera. The genus contains c. 12 species. The genus differs from the closely related Alloplectus in having an erect umbellate inflorescence and berries. The type species is C. capitatus.
Description Corytoplectus species are herbs or shrubs ranging from 0.5–2 m tall. The stems are erect and subquadrangular, but becoming quadrangular near the top. The fruit is a translucent berry with dark striate (with parallel longitudinal ridges or lines) seeds. The leaves have dark green upper surfaces with veins which are paler. The inflorescences are mostly erect.
Etymology According to Rodriques-Flores and Skog, Corytoplectus derives from the Latin (leather pouch) and (pleated or folded). They believe the name to be suitable, because, in profile, the calyces look like pleated leather pouches. However, an alternative view says that rather than deriving from the Latin , the name derives from the Greek (helmet), giving "pleated helmet".
Species 12 species are accepted. Corytoplectus capitatus (Hook.) Wiehler Corytoplectus congestus (Linden ex Hanst.) Wiehler Corytoplectus cutucuensis Wiehler Corytoplectus deltoideus (C.V.Morton) Wiehler Corytoplectus grandifolius (Britton ex Rusby) Rodr.-Flores & L.E.Skog Corytoplectus longipedunculatus Rodr.-Flores & L.E.Skog Corytoplectus oaxacensis Ram.-Roa, C.Chávez & Rodr.-Flores Corytoplectus purpuratus Rodr.-Flores & L.E.Skog Corytoplectus riceanus (Rusby) Wiehler Corytoplectus schlimii (Planch. & Linden) Wiehler Corytoplectus speciosus (Poepp.) Wiehler Corytoplectus zamorensis (Linden & André) Rodr.-Flores & L.E.Skog
References
External links Smithsonian Institution: Checklist of Gesneriaceae. Retrieved 28 April 2018. Flora of the Guianas: Corytoplectus. Retrieved 28 April 2018.