Genus Polycnemum in Family Amaranthaceae
In botanical taxonomy, a genus (plural genera) is a rank used to group closely related species within a family. In the hierarchy, genus sits below family and above species.
Genera are defined by shared morphological, anatomical, and genetic characteristics (for example, features of flowers, fruits, seeds, or leaves) that indicate a close evolutionary relationship among the species they contain.
Each genus can include one or more species. Examples include Rosa (roses) and Solanum (nightshades, including tomato and eggplant).
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Genus Description
Suggest a correction!Polycnemum is a small genus of annual herbs in the family Amaranthaceae (previously placed in Chenopodiaceae; POWO, 2024; WFO, 2024). About six species are currently accepted, although the number fluctuates as taxonomic revisions merge previously recognized taxa (Hernández‑Ledesma et al., 2022). The type species, Polycnemum arvense L., exemplifies the overall morphology. The genus is distributed across temperate Eurasia, from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus, occurring in saline steppes, coastal dunes, and disturbed soils (Kadereit et al., 2020). Plants are prostrate to decumbent, usually
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Polycnemum arvense (L.)
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Polycnemum fontanesii (Durieu & Moq.)
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Polycnemum heuffelii (Láng)
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Polycnemum majus (A.Braun ex Bogenh.)
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Polycnemum verrucosum (Láng)