Markhamia is a genus of flowering trees in the family Bignoniaceae, the trumpet-vine family, within the order Lamiales. The genus comprises a small number of species distributed across tropical Africa and South-East Asia. Members of the genus are typically medium to large trees, characteristic of the Bignoniaceae in bearing showy tubular flowers and long, often pendulous seed pods. Several species, including Markhamia lutea and Markhamia zanzibarica, are familiar components of East African savanna and woodland vegetation, where they are valued for their ornamental flowers and useful timber. The genus was described by Schumann and placed within the tribe Tecomeae of the Bignoniaceae. It is named in honour of Sir Clements Markham (1830–1916), the English geographer and explorer.
Etymology
The genus name Markhamia honours Sir Clements Markham (1830–1916), the English geographer, explorer, and longtime secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, for whom the genus was named by Karl Moritz Schumann.
Distribution
Species of Markhamia are distributed across tropical Africa and South-East Asia. African species such as M. lutea, M. zanzibarica, M. obtusifolia, and M. tomentosa are found in East and West Africa, while M. stipulata (the type species) occurs in South-East Asia.
Taxonomy Notes
Markhamia belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, order Lamiales. The type species is Markhamia stipulata (Wall.) Seem. Plant of the World Online currently recognises five species in the genus. GBIF places the genus within the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons), phylum Tracheophyta.
