Alophia is a small genus of perennial, herbaceous, bulbous plants in the family Iridaceae (iris family), order Asparagales. The genus comprises five known species distributed from the south-central United States through Mexico, Central America, and into parts of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, and Guyana.
Plants in this genus grow from bulbs and produce the typically short-lived, iris-like flowers characteristic of the tribe Tigridieae. Alophia is closely related to Herbertia, Cypella, and Tigridia, from which it is distinguished by specific characters of the stamen and gynoecium.
The best-known species, Alophia drummondii, is native to the south-central United States and northern Mexico and is occasionally encountered as an ornamental. Alophia medusa is endemic to the Brazilian state of Goiás, while Alophia graniticola is also restricted to Brazil.
Etymology
The genus name Alophia is derived from the Greek words a-, meaning "without," and lophos, meaning "crest," referring to a morphological feature that distinguishes it from closely related genera.
Distribution
Alophia species are native to the Americas, ranging from the south-central United States and Mexico through Central America and into South America, with records from Bolivia, Brazil (Goiás), and Guyana. Individual species tend to have restricted ranges: A. drummondii is the most widespread, while A. medusa and A. graniticola are narrowly endemic to Brazil.
Taxonomy Notes
Alophia belongs to the family Iridaceae, order Asparagales. It is placed within the tribe Tigridieae and is most closely related to Herbertia, Cypella, and Tigridia. The genus was established by William Herbert (Herb.) and has undergone revisions; several species were transferred into it by Goldblatt (1975–1976) from other genera.
