Duma (genus) facts for kids

Duma is a special group of plants, also known as a genus. Think of a genus as a family group for plants that are very similar to each other. Scientists used to think Duma plants belonged to a different group called Muehlenbeckia.

The way we classify Duma changed because of a scientist named Tanja M. Schuster. She studied how different plants are related to each other, which is called phylogenetics. Her research showed that Duma plants are unique enough to have their own genus.

An old drawing of a plant, similar to those studied by botanists.

What is Duma?

Duma plants are often small. They are part of a larger group of plants known as the ATP clade. This means they share a common ancestor with other plants in this group.

Types of Duma Species

Currently, there are three main types, or species, of Duma plants that scientists have identified:

• Duma coccoloboides
• Duma florulenta (also known as tangled lignum)
• Duma horrida

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  Duma florulenta