THE SOUTH AMERICAN GENUS OZIROË (HYACINTHACEAE- OZIROËOIDEAE)

Abstract

The genus  Oziroë (Hyacinthaceae), better known under the later name  Fortunatia, is the only representative of the family in South America and ranges from Peru and Chile to Bolivia, Paraguay and north to central Argentina. Some of the species were originally described in the genera: Scilla, Allium, Ornithogalum, Nothoscordum and Fortunatia; and some temporarily considered to belong to Camassia. This paper deals with the taxonomic history of the genus and presents the results of a taxonomic revision, recognizing five species: Oziroë acaulis, O. argentinensis, O. arida, O. biflora and O. pomensis. A key to recognize the species, descriptions of the genus and species, together with illustrations and distribution maps are provided. The study revealed Oziroë argentinensis as a new record for Paraguay, O. acaulis for Chile, and O. pomensis as new for Bolivia, Chile and Peru; O. arida is endemic to Chile, and O. biflora was confirmed only for Chile and Peru.