Anthospermum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae (order Gentianales). It belongs to the tribe Anthospermeae, a mostly Gondwanan group that also includes genera such as Coprosma, Nertera, and Phyllis. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus and comprises 39 accepted species (though GBIF records 34 descendants). Members of Anthospermum are shrubs or subshrubs found across the Afrotropics, from tropical and southern Africa to Madagascar and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. The genus name derives from Greek ἄνθος (flower) and σπέρμα (seed), reflected in the common name "Flowerseeds." The genus is moderately well-observed in the wild, with nearly 7,000 iNaturalist observations across its range.
Etymology
The genus name Anthospermum derives from Greek ἄνθος (anthos, "flower") and σπέρμα (sperma, "seed"), literally "flower seed." This is reflected in the common name "Flowerseeds" used on iNaturalist.
Distribution
Anthospermum is an Afrotropical genus found in tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. It is part of the tribe Anthospermeae, whose distribution is almost entirely Gondwanan.
Ecology
The genus is well-documented in its native range, with approximately 7,000 observations on iNaturalist across its Afrotropical distribution. Members of the tribe Anthospermeae include both insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated (anemophilous) genera, though the pollination mode of Anthospermum specifically is not stated in available sources.
