Annonaceae

Cananga (Dunal) Hook.f. & Thomson

First published in Fl. Ind. 1: 129 (1855)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropical Asia to N. Australia.

Descriptions

Annonaceae, B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1971

Morphology General Habit
Trees with simple indumentum
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers large, hermaphrodite, several in racemes on short axillary peduncles; buds elongate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 3, valvate, somewhat united at the base
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 6, in 2 whorls of 3, both valvate, the inner subequal or slightly smaller, linear-lanceolate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens numerous, linear; anthers lateral or subintrorse; connective-appendages distinctly produced and apiculate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Carpels
Carpels many, free, oblong, with numerous biseriate ovules; styles slender, the stigmas agglutinated to form a disc, each oneclub-shaped with a U-shaped groove which is continued down the inner side of the ovary
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Monocarps oblong or ellipsoid, succulent, stipitate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds compressed, pitted.
[FTEA]

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution
A genus of two species with one found throughout New Guinea: Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson.
Morphology General Habit
Trees to 35 m (in New Guinea)
Morphology General Indumentum
Indumentum of simple hairs
Morphology Leaves
Leaf blade large
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences axillary, with several flowers clustered on a peduncle
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers bisexual, very fragrant; sepals 3, valvate; petals 6 in 2 whorls, subequal or inner petals slightly smaller, spreading or slightly spreading, valvate in bud, usually narrowly triangular; stamens many, connectives c. ⅓ size of stamens, apex apiculate; carpels many, oblong, ovules <7 per carpel, styles slender, stigmas sticking together at anthesis, clavate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit apocarpous; monocarps several to many, long stipitate with an abscission zone between the seed bearing part and the stipe, ovoid to subglobose
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds several per monocarp, in 2 series, arillate, pitted, sending spinose processes into albumen.
Ecology
In New Guinea, Cananga odorata is a large tree, often reaching the canopy, in a variety of lowland habitats from sea level to 550 m.
Recognition
The genus can be recognised by its tall habit, the axillary inflorescence with numerous flowers, the fragrant flowers with long narrowly elliptic petals, usually yellow in colour and spreading (i.e. not coherent above the reproductive organs), the connective apex of the stamens being pointed and apiculate, and the stipitate monocarps with an abscission zone between the seed bearing part and the stipe, each monocarp with several seeds per monocarp.
[TONG]

Sources

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Trees of New Guinea

    • Trees of New Guinea
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0