Cryptanthus

Cryptanthus
Cryptanthus zonatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Bromeliaceae
Subfamily: Bromelioideae
Genus: Cryptanthus
Otto & A.Dietr.
Synonyms
  • Madvigia Liebm.
  • Pholidophyllum Vis.

Cryptanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. The genus name is from the Greek cryptos (hidden) and anthos (flower). The genus formerly had two recognized subgenera: the type subgenus and subgenus Hoplocryptanthus Mez which has been raised to the separate genus Hoplocryptanthus. All species of this genus are endemic to Brazil. The common name for any Cryptanthus is "Earth star".

Species

As of November 2022, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:

Former species

A major revision of Cryptanthus in 2017 based on both morphological and molecular characters elevated a former subgenus to the genus Hoplocryptanthus and created two new genera, Forzzaea and Rokautskyia, transferring many former Cryptanthus species to these three genera.

Transferred to Forzzaea

  • Cryptanthus leopoldo-horstii Rauh → Forzzaea leopoldo-horstii (Rauh) Leme, S.Heller & Zizka
  • Cryptanthus micrus Louzada, Wand. & Versieux → Forzzaea micra (Louzada, Wand. & Versieux) Leme, S.Heller & Zizka
  • Cryptanthus warasii E.Pereira → Forzzaea warasii (E.Pereira) Leme, S.Heller & Zizka

Transferred to Haplocryptanthus

Transferred to Rokautskyia

Transferred to Siqueiranthus