Arctopus

Arctopus is a genus of flowering plant in the Apiaceae, with three species. It is endemic to southern Africa. The genus name means "bears foot" (from ἄρκτος árktos "bear" and πούς pous "foot") in reference to the curious growth habit, resembling a large footprint. The species were used in Khoisan medicine and adopted by the early settlers who gave them the Afrikaans name of sieketroos (= "sickness-comfort" i.e. "sickness remedy")[1] They are atypical members of the Apiaceae with the leaves growing flat on the ground and are dioecious, having separate male and female plants.[2]

This article is about the plant. For the band, see Behold...The Arctopus.

Arctopus
Arctopus echinatus, native plant in Goegap N.R., South Africa
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Subfamily: Apioideae
Tribe: Saniculeae
Genus: Arctopus
L.
Species
  • Arctopus dregei Sond.
  • Arctopus echinatus L.
  • Arctopus monacanthus Carmich. ex Sond.
  • Paw print of a bear, showing similarity to curious outline of Arctopus foliage - whence genus name
    Paw print of a bear, showing similarity to curious outline of Arctopus foliage - whence genus name

References
  1. Magee, A.R; Van Wyk, B.-E; Van Vuuren, S.F (2007). "Ethnobotany and antimicrobial activity of sieketroos (Arctopus species)". South African Journal of Botany. 73: 159–162. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2006.06.009.
  2. Magee, Anthony R.; van Wyk, Ben-Erik; Tilney, Patricia M.; van der Bank, Michelle (2008). "A Taxonomic Revision of the South African Endemic Genus Arctopus (Apiaceae, Saniculoideae)". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 95 (3): 471–486. doi:10.3417/2005174. JSTOR 25488206.


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