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Diagram of relationships between families of Zingiberales.

A Classification and Treatise of the Genera of the Superorder Zingiberanae, including Bananas, Heliconias, Gingers and Relatives by W. John Kress and Collaborators

including: A Key to the Suborders and Families of Zingiberales.

This major new botanical work (in progress) is a taxonomic treatment of the genera of the tropical plant Order Zingiberales in the style of the treatments on the palms in Genera Palmarum by Uhl & Dransfield and on the aroids in Genera of Araceae by Mayo & Collaborators. All 90 genera in the eight families (Musaceae, Strelitziaceae, Lowiaceae, Heliconiaceae, Zingiberaceae, Costaceae, Cannaceae, and Marantaceae) are included. The treatment of each genus will consist of:

  • 1) the author, publication, type and synonomy;
  • 2) a complete morphological description, including pollen and cytology;
  • 3) citation of anatomical work;
  • 4) a discussion of taxonomic diversity;
  • 5) outline of geographic distribution;
  • 6) ecology and pollination biology;
  • 7) common names and uses; and,
  • 8) miscellaneous notes.

A full page pen-and-ink illustration depicting essential morphological features drawn by Alice Tangerini, Botanical Illustrator at the Smithsonian, and color photographs of flowers taken by the author will be provided for each genus. In addition to facts on the genera, comprehensive information on the order and families will cover the fossil record, phylogenetic relationships, history of classification, and a full listing of the pertinent literature. This basic, descriptive work will summarize critical data on the Zingiberales available to date and will be of interest to research scientists as well as horticulturists and plant enthusiasts. The project, now underway, is expected to be completed by the year 2008.

Future Table of Contents

  • I. INTRODUCTION
  • A. General Description of the Zingiberanae
  • B. Geographic Distribution
  • C. Ecology
  • D. Fossil Record of the Zingiberanae
  • E. Phylogeny and Evolutionary Relationships of the Zingiberanae
  • F. History of the Classification of the Zingiberanae
  • G. A Linnaean Classification of the Zingiberanae
  • III. QUESTIONABLE AND EXCLUDED GENERA
  • IV. GEOGRAPHICAL LISTINGS OF GENERA
  • V. GLOSSARY
  • VI. LITERATURE CITED
  • VII. INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES
  • VIII. SUBJECT INDEX AND COMMON NAMES

For more information, contact W. John Kress.

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