Rhodanthemum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, mostly native to exposed rocky places in Northern Africa (Morocco and Algeria). Formerly included in either Chrysanthemum or Leucanthemum, the 10 or 15 species of Rhodanthemum display many similarities to their former congeners, with composite daisy-like flowers. They are mat-forming, prostrate perennials or subshrubs, and some are cultivated as ornamental plants.
Taxonomy It was described by Balafama Helen Wilcox, Kåre Bremer, and Christopher John Humphries in 1993Rhodanthemum B.H.Wilcox, K.Bremer & Humphries. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved June 1, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:975143-1 with Rhodanthemum arundanum as the type species. Etymology The botanical name comes from the Greek ῥόδον (rose) + ἄνθεμον (flower). Species It has 15 species:
Rhodanthemum arundanum Rhodanthemum atlanticum Rhodanthemum briquetii Rhodanthemum catananche Rhodanthemum depressum Rhodanthemum gayanum Rhodanthemum hosmariense Rhodanthemum ifniense Rhodanthemum laouense Rhodanthemum maresii Rhodanthemum maroccanum Rhodanthemum mesatlanticum Rhodanthemum pseudocatananche Rhodanthemum × pseudoredieri Rhodanthemum quezelii Rhodanthemum redieri
Distribution It is native to Algeria, Morocco, and Spain.
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