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Order:
Proteales
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants)
> Eudicotyledons
There are three families in the Proteales and all are encountered in southern
Africa, but only the Proteaceae is indigenous. A total of 14 genera and 351
species are native to southern Africa, mainly in fynbos. In addition, two genera
and five species have become naturalised, and an additional 15 genera and 55
species are cultivated in the region.
Families encountered in southern Africa
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Nelumbonaceae (lotus flowers)
Family of water plants with rhizomes, found along the
margins of pools in Asia, northern Australia and eastern North
America. There is one genus, Nelumbo, with 2 species.
Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus, Water Chinquapin, Yanquapin) is native to
North America. Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) is native to Asia
(Iran to Japan) and northern Australia, and is cultivated in southern
Africa. |
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Platanaceae (Plane tree family)
One genus (Platanus) and 10 species (north temperate
regions), none of which is native to southern Africa. However, four species
and one hybrid are cultivated in the region. In particular,
Platanus x hispanica
(London plane) is a common street tree and is also grown in gardens. |
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Proteaceae (protea family)
Worldwide there are about 80 genera and 1600 species. The highest diversity
is in Australia (800+ species), followed by Africa (c 400 species) and then
South America (about 90 species). Proteaceae are also native to Madagascar,
SE Asia, New Guinea, New Calidonia and New Zealand. A total of 14 genera and
351 species are native to southern Africa, mainly in fynbos. In addition,
two genera and five species have become naturalised, and an additional 13
genera and 49 species are cultivated in the region. |
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