Mitrastemonaceae
| Mitrastemon | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: |
Mitrastemonaceae Makino |
| Genus: |
Mitrastemon Makino |
| Species | |
Mitrastemon is a genus of two widely disjunct species of parasitic plants. It is the only genus within the family Mitrastemonaceae. Mitrastemon species are root endoparasites, which grow on Fagaceae.
The taxonomic placement of the Mitrastemon was unsure for a long time. Originally it was placed within the order Rafflesiales, together with other parasitic plants, but this order was long suspected to be actually polyphyletic. In 2004, the genus was found to be related to Ericales by comparing their mitochondrial DNA.
Several orthographic variants of the name Mitrastemon exist, including Mitrastema and Mitrastemma. The correct taxonomic name is Mitrastemon, the use of which was proposed and justified in an article by Reveal and approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Vascular Plants in a subsequent article.
Two species are known. M. matudae is found in Central America, while M. yamamotoi is found in Southeast Asia and Japan.
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