Canephora is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, indigenous to Madagascar.[1][2]
| Canephora | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ixoroideae |
| Tribe: | Octotropideae |
| Genus: | Canephora Juss. |
| Type species | |
| Canephora madagascariensis | |
Description
The name Canephora, "basket bearer", refers to both the flattened peduncle topped by a "hollowed apex bearing flowers" and to the ritual office for unmarried young women in ancient Greece, as bearer of a sacred basket full of offerings during processions at festivals.[3]
Canephora is unique in Rubiaceae in having peduncles transformed into flattened, green axes called phylloclades.[4]
Canephora madagascariensis has bright white, campanulate flowers and apparently edible, red fruits, locally known as "hazongalala".[5]
Species
Currently, five species are recognized, but several new species await description.[4]