# Grausa

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***Grausa*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of plants in the [Loasaceae](/source/Loasaceae) found in [Chile](/source/Chile) and [Argentina](/source/Argentina).[1] It was previously included in the genus *[Loasa](/source/Loasa)* and was split to resolve a paraphyletic grouping of genera in the Loasaceae. The seeds of this genus have a characteristic [hilar](/source/Hilum_(biology)) cone.[2]

## Description

*Grausa* is a small genus of [perennial](/source/Perennial_plant) herbs. Species generally assume one of two vegetative habits, either [rhizomatous](/source/Rhizome) with short internodes or climbing with winding aerial stems. The petiolate [leaves](/source/Leaf) are arranged in a basal [rosette](/source/Rosette_(botany)). Leaf shape ranges from sagittate to pinnatisect to ternately compound and rarely pinnate. The leaves are covered in rough [trichomes](/source/Trichome) with few or no stinging hairs.[2]

The [inflorescences](/source/Inflorescence) of *Grausa* species are axillary and may be one-flowered or branching and winding with multiple [flowers](/source/Flower). The [bracts](/source/Bract) are pinnatisect or palmatisect. The flowers are borne on [pedicels](/source/Pedicel_(botany)); those on one-flowered rhizomatous species are erect, whereas those on winding multi-flowered species are pendent. The boat-shaped [petals](/source/Petal) are white or red, somewhat spreading, and basally narrowed. Their margins are flattened and rarely toothed. The floral scales are yellow, greenish, or red and slightly curved so as to resemble a hood. They have three slight ridges on the back and three thin distally widened dorsal threads. The floral scales enclose two curved staminodes which taper into a thin, threadlike apex. The [ovary](/source/Ovary_(botany)) is mostly inferior and conical. The [pistil](/source/Gynoecium), including the [style](/source/Stigma_(botany)), is divided into three lobes with numerous [ovules](/source/Ovule). The [seeds](/source/Seed) are small, dark brown, and oblong with a reticulate or deeply pitted seed coat. Each seed forms a distinct projecting structure known as a [hilar cone](/source/Hilum_(biology)), which is characteristic of the genus.[2]

## Taxonomy and naming

*Grausa* was split from the genus *Loasa* in the journal [Taxon](/source/Taxon_(journal)) in 2020 by Rafael Acuña and Maximilian Weigend following the discovery that *Loasa* was [paraphyletic](/source/Paraphyly). Its species belonged to multiple groups within the Loasaceae, including the former *Loasa* series *Volubiles* and *Acaules*. These two series were found to lie in a [clade](/source/Clade) containing the previously described genera *[Scyphanthus](/source/Scyphanthus)* and *[Caiophora](/source/Caiophora)*. Rather than lump the existing two genera into *Loasa*, which would create a morphologically incohesive grouping of taxa, it was decided to erect a new genus to preserve [monophyly](/source/Monophyly).[2]

The name *Grausa* honors Munich scientist Jürke Grau, a researcher of [Chilean flora](/source/Flora_of_Chile). The genus name is a [portmanteau](/source/Blend_word) of "Grau" and *Loasa*. At the time of the split, five species were transferred to the new genus.[2] Subsequently, a former [synonym](/source/Synonym_(taxonomy)) of one of the original five *Grausa* species, *G. lateritia*, was reinstated as a separate species; it was originally described as *Loasa acaulis* and is now known as *Grausa acaulis*. As such, *Grausa* contains 6 accepted species:[1][3]

## Distribution and habitat

*Grausa* is distributed in Chile and Argentina along the [Andes](/source/Andes). Species may be found in volcanic rocky [alpine habitats](/source/Alpine_plant) above the [treeline](/source/Tree_line) or at lower elevations.[1][3]

## References

1. "*Grausa*". 77164735-1. Retrieved 18 August 2023.

1. Acuña, Rafael; Fließwasser, Stella; Ackermann, Markus; Henning, Tilo; Luebert, Federico; Weigend, Maximilian (2017-05-04). ["Phylogenetic relationships and generic re-arrangements in "South Andean Loasas" (Loasaceae)"](http://doi.wiley.com/10.12705/662.5). *Taxon*. **66** (2): 365–378. [doi:10.12705/662.5](https://doi.org/10.12705/662.5). [ISSN 0040-0262](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0040-0262)

1. Santilli, Ludovica; Cohen, Dylan H.; Acuña, Rafael (2020-07-08). ["New Insights into Grausa: Reinstatement, Distribution and Affinities of Loasa Acaulis (Loasaceae, Loasoideae)"](http://www.ojs.darwin.edu.ar/index.php/darwiniana/article/view/880). *Darwiniana*. **8** (1). Nueva Serie. [doi:10.14522/darwiniana.2020.81.880](https://doi.org/10.14522/darwiniana.2020.81.880)

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