Griffinia is a genus of Brazilian plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It includes 23 known species which are endemic to Brazil. The most closely related genus to it is the monotypic Worsleya.
The members of the genus Griffinia are tropical, bulbous plants which grow in high levels of humidity. The leaves are green, petiolate, elliptical, sometimes with white speckles on them. The flowers are typical for the tribe - lilac or blue colored (although there are also white - colored species) and collected into an umbel. Many of the members in this genus are endangered because of the deforestation of their habitat.
Taxonomy
Subgenera
The genus Griffinia is divided into Griffinia subgen. Hyline, in which only Griffinia gardneriana (Herb.) Ravenna and Griffinia nocturna Ravenna are placed, as well as Griffinia subgen. Griffinia, which includes all other species.
Species
As of June 2023, the genus comprises 23 species: Griffinia alba K.D.Preuss & Meerow Griffinia albolineata Campos-Rocha Griffinia angustifolia Campos-Rocha, Dutilh & Semir Griffinia aracensis Ravenna Griffinia arifolia Ravenna Griffinia capixabae Campos-Rocha & Dutilh Griffinia colatinensis Ravenna Griffinia concinna (Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Ravenna Griffinia espiritensis Ravenna Griffinia gardneriana (Herb.) Ravenna Griffinia hyacinthina (Ker Gawl.) Ker Gawl. Griffinia ilheusiana Ravenna Griffinia intermedia Lindl. Griffinia itambensis Ravenna Griffinia liboniana É.Morren Griffinia meerowiana Campos-Rocha & M.Peixoto Griffinia mucurina Ravenna Griffinia nocturna Ravenna Griffinia ornata T.Moore Griffinia parviflora Ker Gawl. Griffinia paubrasilica Ravenna Griffinia rochae G.M.Morel Griffinia rostrata Ravenna
Conservation
Griffinia intermedia is categorized as endangered (EN) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is only known from two locations, in which the species, as well as its habitat is continually declining. An initiative has been taken to replicate the fragrance of Griffinia gardneriana, which is threatened with extinction, for the creation of a perfume. The sale of the perfume is meant to financially contribute to the conservation effort for this species.