Spermatophyta: Monocotyledonae: Asparagales

Eriospermaceae

Perry, P.L. (1994) A revision of the genus Eriospermum (Eriospermaceae) Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium, no. 17 University of Cape Town

Perry, P.L. (2010) Eriospermaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(2) 1-13

Description of the family

Perennial herbs, with one or more tubers. Leaves 1 to several, present at flowering time or appearing after flowering; lamina linear to lanceolate, ovate or circular, with a distinct petiole-like base. Peduncle erect, unbranched. Inflorescence a simple raceme. Pedicels articulated at apex. Flowers actinomorphic. Tepals (in ours) ± equal in size and shape, mainly whitish to yellow. Stamens 6. Ovary superior, 3-locular. Capsule emarginate, loculicidally dehiscent, 3-valved. Seeds covered in long white silky hairs.

Comment: The genus Eriospermum, included by us under Eriospermaceae, is nowadays often placed together with Dracaenaceae, Ruscaceae, Nolinaceae and Convallariaceae as Subfamily Nolinoideae under Asparagaceae. However, we have followed the more traditional treatment for the time being.

Worldwide: 1 genus and c. 100 species in sub-Saharan Africa.

Uganda: 0 genera and 0 taxa.

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Links to genera:     View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this family

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Other sources of information about Eriospermaceae:

Our websites:

Flora of Angola: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Botswana: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Burundi: Eriospermaceae
Flora of the DRC: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Kenya: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Malawi: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Mozambique: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Rwanda: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Tanzania: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Zambia: Eriospermaceae
Flora of Zimbabwe: Eriospermaceae

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Eriospermaceae
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Eriospermaceae
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Eriospermaceae
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Eriospermaceae
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Eriospermaceae
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Eriospermaceae
JSTOR Plant Science: Eriospermaceae
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Eriospermaceae
Wikipedia: Eriospermaceae
Plants of the World Online: Eriospermaceae
Tropicos: Eriospermaceae

Copyright: The Uganda flora team, 2026

The Uganda flora team (2026). Flora of Uganda: Family page: Eriospermaceae.
https://www.ugandaflora.com/speciesdata/family.php?family_id=84, retrieved 18 August 2026

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