Malpighiaceae

Caucanthus Forssk.

First published in Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 91 (1775)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is E., NE. & S. Tropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula.

Descriptions

Malpighiaceae, E. Launert. Flora Zambesiaca 2:1. 1963

Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers or upright or semiscandent shrubs; stems with younger parts usually ± densely appressed-pubescent or sericeous.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves spirally arranged or opposite, with 2 glands on the margin near the base or eglandular; stipules very small, deciduous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences racemose or corymbose-paniculate, axillary or terminal.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals without glands.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals unguiculate (sometimes very shortly), sometimes auriculate or hastate at the base, glabrous, the margins wholly or partially fimbriate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens glabrous with dorsifixed anthers.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary densely sericeous; styles truncate, shorter than, as long as, or slightly exceeding the stamens.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit with lateral wing completely surrounding the nut, circular or broadly elliptic; dorsal wing small, obliquely lanceolate or absent.
[FZ]

Malpighiaceae, E. Launert (British Museum (Natural History)). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers or upright or semi-scandent shrubs; stems with younger parts usually ± densely appressed pubescent or sericeous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves spirally arranged or opposite, with 2 glands on margin near base or eglandular; stipules very small, deciduous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences racemose or corymbose-paniculate, axillary or terminal
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers actinomorphic
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals without glands
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals clawed (sometimes very shortly), sometimes auriculate or hastate at base, glabrous, margins wholly or partially fimbriate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens glabrous with dorsifixed anthers
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary densely sericeous; styles truncate, shorter than to slightly exceeding stamens
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit with a lateral wing completely surrounding the nut, circular or broadly elliptic; dorsal wing small, obliquely lanceolate or absent.
[FTEA]

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers or shrubs
Morphology Leaves
Leaves alternate or opposite, usually with glands near base of blade beneath, petiolate, with minute stipules
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences many-flowered corymbs or racemes; pedicels articulated
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers regular
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Calyx without glands
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals white or cream, at least partly fringed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens glabrous; anthers dorsifixed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary densely hairy; styles 2–3, straight or evenly curved
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Samara with a shield-like, circular or broadly elliptic, lateral wing; dorsal wing short or absent.
Distribution
Genus of three species in eastern Africa from Somalia and Ethiopia to Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and in S Arabia.
[FSOM]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Somalia

    • Flora of Somalia
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

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

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. 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 2026. 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