Gonatopus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Ordo: Alismatales

Familia: Araceae
Subfamilia: Zamioculcadoideae
Genus: Gonatopus
Species: G. angustus – G. boivinii – G. clavatus – G. marattioides – G. petiolulatus
Name

Gonatopus Engl. in A.L.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 2: 208. (1879)

Gonatopus boivinii (Decne.) Engl. in A.L.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 2: 209. (1879)

Synonyms

Heterotypic
Heterolobium Peter, Nachr. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen, Math.-Phys. Kl. 3: 211 (1929 publ. 1930)
Microculcas Peter, Nachr. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen, Math.-Phys. Kl. 3: 211 (1929 publ. 1930)

References

Engler, H.G.A. 1879. Monographiae Phanerogamarum Prodromi nunc Continuato, nunc Revisio Auctoribus Alphonso et Casimir de Candolle Aliisque Botanicis Ultra Memoratis 2: 208.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2014. Gonatopus in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2014 Nov. 16. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2016. Gonatopus. Published online. Accessed: Nov. 16 2016.
Tropicos.org 2014. Gonatopus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2014 Nov. 16.

Gonatopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, consisting of about five species. This genus is native to eastern and southeastern Africa and is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas. The plant generally only produces one leaf from its tuber when in growth. In G. boivinii, the leaf is tripinnate, and with its stalk can reach up to 1 m in height and 40 cm broad; the individual leaflets are up to 10 cm long and 3.5 cm broad; in G. angustus, the leaf can reach 1.5 m tall. A spadix arises from the tuber during late spring.

Cultivation and uses

The most commonly found Gonatopus in private collections and cultivation is Gonatopus boivinii, commonly called Giraffe's Knees. This name arises from the appearance of a swollen region of a petiole called the pulvinus.

Since Gonatopus boivinii is tropical in origin, in temperate areas it should be grown as a houseplant. As an ornamental plant, it is grown for its attractive mottled leaves and stalk. Potting soil with some coir incorporated is satisfactory for the plant. The plant should be kept moist and fertilized once every two weeks with a weak fertilizer during the growing season.

The plants should be kept warm, and in bright light or light shade. After the growing season, the tubers can be lifted and stored like dahlias. The plant can be propagated by division or by seed.
Selected species

Gonatopus angustus N.E.Br.
Gonatopus boivinii (Decne) Engl.
Gonatopus clavatus Mayo
Gonatopus marattioides (A. Peter) Bogner
Gonatopus petiolulatus (A. Peter) Bogner

References

International Aroid Society
first description of Zamioculcas boivinii (=Gonatopus b.) by J. Decaisne (1870), Bull. Soc. Bot. France 17, 320-321. (French and Latin)
generic description of Gonatopus (Hook.f.) Engl. by A. Engler (1879), DC. Mon. Phan. II. 63; 208. (Latin)
first description of Gonatopus angustus by N. E. Brown (1901), Bull. Herb. Boissier II, 1: 778. (Latin and German)
Description from A. Engler (1905), Das Pflanzenreich IV. 23 B (Heft 21): 304-308. (Latin and German)
first description of Heterolobium petiolulatum (=Gonatopus p.) by A. Peter (1930), Nachr. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 1929, Math.-Phys. Kl. 3: 221-222. (Latin and German)
first description of Microculcas marattioides (=Gonatopus m.) by A. Peter (1930), Nachr. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 1929, Math.-Phys. Kl. 3: 222-225. (Latin and German)
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University of Connecticut