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Gnetum
Gnetum macrostachyum in Thailand.jpg
Gnetum macrostachyum in Thailand
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Gnetophyta
Class: Gnetopsida
Order: Gnetales
T.M.Fries
Family: Gnetaceae
Lindleyx
Genus: Gnetum
L.
Map showing the range of Gnetum
Distribution
Synonyms
  • Gnemon Rumph. ex Kuntze
  • Thoa Aubl.
  • Abutua Lour.
  • Arthostema Neck.

Gnetum is a special group of plants. It is the only group of plants found in a family called Gnetaceae. These plants are known as gymnosperms. This means their seeds are "naked" or not covered by a fruit, unlike the seeds of flowering plants.

What are Gnetum Plants Like?

Plants in the Gnetum group are evergreen. This means they keep their leaves all year round. Most of them grow as woody vines that climb on other plants. However, some types can grow big enough to become tall trees.

Where Do Gnetum Plants Live?

You can find Gnetum plants in warm, tropical parts of the world. These are places with lots of sunshine and rain. Sadly, some types, like Gnetum oxycarpum, are in danger of disappearing forever. This is because they only live in small areas. The forests where they grow are being cut down to make space for farms.

A Look at Gnetum's Past

Gnetum is part of a very old group of plants called Gnetophyta. Scientists think Gnetum might have been one of the first plants to be pollinated by insects. Other plants from this ancient group, like Ephedra and Welwitschia, also shared this special way of spreading their pollen.

Different Kinds of Gnetum Plants

There are many different types of Gnetum plants. Here are some of the species that scientists have identified:

  1. Gnetum acutum Markgr.
  2. Gnetum africanum Welw.
  3. Gnetum arboreum Foxw.
  4. Gnetum bosavicum Markgr.
  5. Gnetum buchholzianum Engl.
  6. Gnetum camporum (Markgr.) D.W.Stev. & Zanoni
  7. Gnetum catasphaericum H.Shao
  8. Gnetum contractum Markgr.
  9. Gnetum costatum K.Schum.
  10. Gnetum cuspidatum Blume
  11. Gnetum diminutum Markgr.
  12. Gnetum formosum Markgr.
  13. Gnetum giganteum H.Shao
  14. Gnetum globosum Markgr.
  15. Gnetum gnemon L.
    1. Gnetum gnemon var. brunonianum (Griff.) Markgr.
    2. Gnetum gnemon var. griffithii (Parl.) Markgr.
  16. Gnetum gnemonoides Brongn.
  17. Gnetum gracilipes C.Y.Cheng
  18. Gnetum hainanense C.Y.Cheng ex L.K.Fu, Y.F.Yu & M.G.Gilbert
  19. Gnetum klossii Merr. ex Markgr.
  20. Gnetum latifolium Blume
    1. Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr.
    2. Gnetum latifolium var. laxifrutescens (Elmer) Markgr.
    3. Gnetum latifolium var. longipes (Markgr.) T.H.Nguyên
    4. Gnetum latifolium var. macropodum (Kurz) Markgr.
    5. Gnetum latifolium var. minus (Foxw.) Markgr.
  21. Gnetum leptostachyum Blume
  22. Gnetum leyboldii Tul.
  23. Gnetum loerzingii Markgr.
  24. Gnetum luofuense C.Y.Cheng
  25. Gnetum macrostachyum Hook.f.
  26. Gnetum microcarpum Blume
  27. Gnetum montanum Markgr.
  28. Gnetum neglectum Blume
  29. Gnetum nodiflorum Brongn.
  30. Gnetum oblongum Markgr.
  31. Gnetum oxycarpum Ridl.
  32. Gnetum paniculatum Spruce ex Benth.
  33. Gnetum parvifolium (Warb.) W.C.Cheng
  34. Gnetum pendulum C.Y.Cheng
  35. Gnetum raya Markgr.
  36. Gnetum ridleyi Gamble ex Markgr.
  37. Gnetum schwackeanum Taub. ex Schenck
  38. Gnetum tenuifolium Ridl.
  39. Gnetum ula Brongn.
  40. Gnetum urens (Aubl.) Blume
  41. Gnetum venosum Spruce ex Benth.
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Gnetum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.