Anchomanes is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae (aroids), placed in the order Alismatales. The genus comprises around five to six accepted species, all native to tropical Africa. Anchomanes is morphologically similar to members of the related genera Dracontium and Amorphophallus — all produce underground tuberous rhizomes and compound or deeply divided leaves — but Anchomanes is distinguished by its perennial root system, spiny leaf stalks, and rhizomes that bear distinct "eyes" from which new shoots emerge. The inflorescence, typical of aroids, consists of a fleshy spike (spadix) subtended or enveloped by a leaf-like bract (spathe).
Species in the genus range across the tropical belt of Africa. Anchomanes difformis has the widest distribution, occurring from Liberia in West Africa eastward to Tanzania and south to Angola and Zambia. Anchomanes dalzielii spans a broad band from Benin to Sudan and south to Zimbabwe. Anchomanes abbreviatus is restricted to eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique), while Anchomanes boehmii is known from the Kigoma region of western Tanzania. Anchomanes giganteus occurs in central Africa (Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, Burundi), and Anchomanes nigritianus is recorded from Gabon and Nigeria. The genus is found in tropical forests and woodland habitats across these regions.
Distribution
The genus Anchomanes is native to tropical Africa, with species distributed from West Africa (Liberia, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria) through Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, Burundi) to East Africa (Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique) and south to Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The most widespread species is Anchomanes difformis, which spans much of this range.
Taxonomy
Anchomanes belongs to the family Araceae, order Alismatales. The genus is morphologically close to Dracontium and Amorphophallus, sharing tuberous-rhizomatous growth and compound foliage, but can be separated by its perennial roots, spiny petioles, and the presence of eyes on the rhizome. The genus was established by Adolf Engler, who authored most of the currently accepted species.
