Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 19, 2026

Otoptera

Otoptera is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It includes two species native to southern Africa and Madagascar. It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. According to Moteetee and Van Wyk, the generic name Otoptera is derived from a characteristic spur at the base of each wing petal and is derived from the Greek oto meaning 'ear' and ptero meaning 'wing'. The proper words in ancient Greek for 'ear' and 'wing' are however oûs, genitive ōtós and pterón (πτερόν). Members of the Otoptera genus can be identified by the spur at the base of the petals and spoon shaped styles with two distinct lips.

Last revised
Jun 19, 2026
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Otoptera
Flowers of O. burchellii, Namibia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Otoptera
DC. (1826)
Species1

2; see text

Otoptera is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It includes two species native to southern Africa and Madagascar.1 It belongs to the subfamily Faboideae. According to Moteetee and Van Wyk, the generic name Otoptera is derived from a characteristic spur at the base of each wing petal and is derived from the Greek oto meaning 'ear' and ptero meaning 'wing'.2 The proper words in ancient Greek for 'ear' and 'wing' are however oûs, genitive ōtós (οὖς, genitive ὠτός) and pterón (πτερόν).3 Members of the Otoptera genus can be identified by the spur at the base of the petals and spoon shaped styles with two distinct lips.2

The genus contains two species; Otoptera burchellii which is native to areas of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe4 and Otoptera madagascariensis which is native to parts of Madagascar.5

Species

  • Otoptera burchellii DC.
  • Otoptera madagascariensis R.Vig.
References

References

  1. Otoptera DC. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  2. Moteetee, A. N.; Van Wyk, B. -E. (2011-04-01). "Taxonomic notes on the genus Otoptera (Phaseoleae, Fabaceae) in southern Africa". South African Journal of Botany. 77 (2): 492–496. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2010.10.007. ISSN 0254-6299.
  3. Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). A Greek-English Lexicon. Revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones with the assistance of Roderick McKenzie.Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  4. "Otoptera burchellii\". International Legume Database & Information Service. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  5. "Otoptera madagascariensis". International Legume Database & Information Service. Retrieved May 23, 2020.