Baeometra is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Colchicaceae (order Liliales), containing the single species Baeometra uniflora (Salisb.) G.J.Lewis — commonly known as the beetle lily. It is native to the southwestern Cape of South Africa, where it grows in seasonally wet areas, rocky sandstone and granite slopes, and lightly disturbed habitats between Malmesbury and Riversdale.
The beetle lily is a geophyte that grows up to 30 cm tall from a flattened, ovoid corm covered in dark brown leathery layers. Its lance-shaped leaves, arranged in a spiral, clasp the base of the stem; the uppermost leaf nearly sheathes it entirely. Between August and October, the plant produces one to five bright orange or yellow, unscented flowers with a firm texture and a distinctive dark central eye. The stamens bear maroon filaments with yellow anthers, and the red-flushed undersides of the tepals become visible in cooler weather, as the flowers open only in warmth. Each flower lasts just a few days before the tepals fall away to allow the woody, 3-lobed cylindrical fruit to develop. The reddish-brown seeds are dispersed by wind shaking the fruiting stalks.
Baeometra is related to the genus Wurmbea, which is distributed across southern Africa and Australia. Like Wurmbea, it contains the alkaloid colchicine and is considered a poisonous plant. The genus has also been introduced to Australia, where it is regarded as invasive.
Etymology
The genus name Baeometra was coined by the British botanist Richard Salisbury in 1812. The species epithet uniflora means "single-flowered" in Latin — an apparent misnomer, as plants typically bear between one and five flowers on a single stem.
Distribution
Baeometra uniflora is endemic to the southwestern Cape of South Africa, occurring between Malmesbury and Riversdale. It grows in seasonally wet areas, on rocky sandstone and granite slopes, and along road verges in lightly disturbed habitats. The species has also been introduced to Australia, where it is considered invasive.
Ecology
The beetle lily is insect-pollinated through pseudocopulation: the dark central eye of the flower mimics a potential mate and attracts money beetles such as Peritrichia abdominalis. Despite this specialised pollinator relationship, the plant appears capable of self-fertilisation, as all flowers produce a full complement of fertile seeds.
History
The plant was first collected, described, and illustrated in 1793 by the Austrian botanist Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin, who named it Melanthium uniflorum. In 1812, Richard Salisbury erected the genus Baeometra and described the species as Baeometra columellaris. The correct combination was established in 1941 by the South African botanist Gwendolyn Lewis, who published the accepted name Baeometra uniflora (Salisb.) G.J.Lewis.
Taxonomy Notes
Baeometra is placed in the family Colchicaceae within the order Liliales. It is closely allied to the genus Wurmbea, which spans southern Africa and Australia. Like Wurmbea and other Colchicaceae, Baeometra uniflora contains the alkaloid colchicine and is toxic to humans and animals.
