Martynia
| Martynia | |
|---|---|
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| Martynia annua at Madayipara | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Martyniaceae |
| Genus: | Martynia L. |
| Species: | M. annua
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| Binomial name | |
| Martynia annua L.
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| Synonyms | |
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 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2017) |
Martynia, a monotypic genus in the Martyniaceae family consisting of a single species, Martynia annua L., is commonly known as cat's claw, tiger's claw, or iceplant.[1] It is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and has been introduced throughout the tropics.[2]
Martynia is used for making beads and ornaments,[1] and has a history of folk medicine uses in the Indian subcontinent.[3]
History and names
The genus and species were first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 publication, Species Plantarum, although the modern taxonomic definition may not correspond with the original Linnaeus description, instead being a synonym for Proboscidea louisianica (Miller) Thellung,[4] as well as other names used in India.[3]
Martynia was collected by the Scottish naval surgeon William Houstoun near Veracruz, Mexico.[citation needed] Houstoun sent seeds of this new plant to Philip Miller, chief gardener at the Chelsea Physic Garden, in 1731. Houstoun named the plant, Martynia, in honor of a professor of botany at Cambridge, John Martyn. The plant was described in Martyn's work Historia Plantarum Rariorum, with a full description and illustration.[citation needed]
Martyn gave the species the following descriptive name: Martynia annua villosa et viscosa, folio subrotundo, flore magno rubro.[4] In India, it has several taxonomic synonyms and common names.[3]
Description
Martynia is an erect shrub about 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, with glandular, hairy branches and ovate leaves 8–20 centimetres (3.1–7.9 in) wide and 6–19 centimetres (2.4–7.5 in) long.[3] Its flowers are pale pink, with fruits becoming blackened when ripe and having hooked spines at the tip, lending its name "cat's claw" or "tiger's claw".[3]
Distribution
Martynia is widely naturalized across subtropical and tropical world regions, particularly in Central America and the Indian subcontinent.[1][3] It is typically found in uncultivated fields and arable lands from plains to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).[3]
Uses
The plant is used for making beads and other native ornaments.[1] It has been applied for numerous supposed treatments in Ayurveda and Siddha folk medicine.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d "Martynia annua L." Germplasm Resources Information Network, National Plant Germplasm System, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. 7 March 1995. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Martynia annua L." Kew Science, Plants of the World Online. 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Martynia annua L." India Biodiversity Portal, Biodiversity India. 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ a b Hevly, Richard H (1969). "Nomenclatural history and typification of Martynia and Proboscidea (Martyniaceae)". Taxon. 18 (5): 527–534.
External links
Media related to Martynia at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Martynia at Wikispecies
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