Euphronia
Encyclopedia
Euphronia is a genus of three species of shrubs native to northern South America and is the only genus in the family Euphroniaceae. It was previously classified in the Vochysiaceae
family and elsewhere, but the APG III system
of 2009 recognizes Euphroniaceae and places Euphronia in it. The genus was originally described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius
and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini
in 1824 when they described Euphronia hirtelloides as a new species. In 1918, the German botanist Johannes Gottfried Hallier
reclassified what was then known as Lightia guianensis as a species in this genus: Euphronia guianensis. And in 1987, the American botanist Julian Alfred Steyermark
described the third species, Euphronia acuminatissima. It was proposed in 1989 that the family Euphroniaceae be erected to contain the genus because it was sufficiently different from other related genera. An analysis of the molecular phylogenetics of these related genera and families in 1998 supported the decision to retain the genus within a monotypic family.
Vochysiaceae
Vochysiaceae is a plant family belonging to the order of Myrtales.-Description:Trees or shrubs with opposite leaves; flowers are zygomorph 1--5 merous; ovary inferior or superior; one fertile stamen; fruits samara or capsules-Biogeography:...
family and elsewhere, but the APG III system
APG III system
The APG III system of flowering plant classification is the third version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy...
of 2009 recognizes Euphroniaceae and places Euphronia in it. The genus was originally described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius
Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius
Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius was a German botanist and explorer.Martius was born at Erlangen, where he graduated M.D. in 1814, publishing as his thesis a critical catalogue of plants in the botanic garden of the university...
and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini
Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini
Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini was a German botanist, Professor of Botany at the University of München. He worked extensively with Philipp Franz von Siebold, assisting in describing his collections from Japan, but also described plants discovered in other areas, including Mexico.-References:...
in 1824 when they described Euphronia hirtelloides as a new species. In 1918, the German botanist Johannes Gottfried Hallier
Johannes Gottfried Hallier
Johannes Gottfried Hallier was a German botanist who was a native of Jena.He studied botany and zoology at the University of Jena under Christian Ernst Stahl and Ernst Haeckel , and continued his studies at the University of Munich under Ludwig Radlkofer and Richard Hertwig...
reclassified what was then known as Lightia guianensis as a species in this genus: Euphronia guianensis. And in 1987, the American botanist Julian Alfred Steyermark
Julian Alfred Steyermark
Julian Alfred Steyermark was an American botanist. His focus was on New World vegetation, and he specialized in the family Rubiaceae.- Life and work :...
described the third species, Euphronia acuminatissima. It was proposed in 1989 that the family Euphroniaceae be erected to contain the genus because it was sufficiently different from other related genera. An analysis of the molecular phylogenetics of these related genera and families in 1998 supported the decision to retain the genus within a monotypic family.