Bonnaya is a genus of small flowering plants in the family Linderniaceae (the false-pimpernel family), placed in the order Lamiales. The genus was described by Link & Otto and currently comprises around 15 accepted species according to Plants of the World Online, with GBIF recognising 4 descendants under its current circumscription. Linderniaceae as a whole numbers roughly 25 genera and 265 species distributed worldwide; it was formerly classified within Scrophulariaceae sensu lato or Plantaginaceae sensu lato before being formally segregated under the APG III system.
Members of Bonnaya are small herbaceous plants, typically annual or perennial herbs. The best-documented species, Bonnaya antipoda, illustrates the general growth form: a prostrate or diffuse herb that roots at the nodes, with sub-sessile, hairless leaves that are elliptic to obovoid in shape, and solitary pale blue flowers with a contrasting yellow mouth. Flowering and fruiting in tropical Asia occurs from August to October.
The genus is native to Eastern Tropical Africa, Madagascar, and across Tropical and Subtropical Asia, extending to Northern Australia. In Australia, Bonnaya antipoda is confined to northeastern Queensland. Other species in the genus recorded in the database include Bonnaya ciliata and Bonnaya multiflora.
Distribution
Bonnaya is native to Eastern Tropical Africa, Madagascar, and across Tropical and Subtropical Asia, extending to Northern Australia. Within Australia, the range is restricted to northeastern Queensland, where Bonnaya antipoda flowers through much of the year with a peak around April and May.
Taxonomy Notes
Bonnaya (Link & Otto) belongs to the family Linderniaceae, order Lamiales — a family that was formerly subsumed within Scrophulariaceae sensu lato or Plantaginaceae sensu lato until multiple phylogenetic studies demonstrated it warranted segregation, a conclusion recognised by APG III. Within Linderniaceae, Bonnaya sits alongside genera such as Lindernia, Torenia, Vandellia, and Craterostigma.
