Malpighiaceae

Tristellateia Thouars

First published in Gen. Nov. Madagasc.: 47 (1806)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Somalia to Mozambique, Madagascar, Tropical & Subtropical Asia to Caroline Islands.

Descriptions

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

Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers, usually glabrous.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, entire, usually with two glands on the margin of the lamina near the base (in T. africana glands near the apex of the petiole); stipules very small.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence racemose, terminal; pedicels articulated, 2-bracteolate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals persistent, with dorsal glands in some species.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals oblong, unguiculate, carinate, entire.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens with glabrous basifixed anthers; filaments of the outer whorl longer and broader at the base.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary globose; only 1 (very seldom 2) styles fully developed, terete.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit subligneous; lateral wing divided into 4–10 narrow stellately arranged lobes; median wing usually absent; samara sometimes with a dorsal crest.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds subglobose, with a short acumen formed by the radicle.
[FZ]

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

Distribution
Genus of 22 species, mainly in Madagascar but one species in eastern Africa and one in SE Asia.
Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, usually with a pair of glands on margin of blade near base or near tip of petiole, with very small stipules
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences racemose, terminal; pedicels articulated
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers regular
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals sometimes with dorsal glands
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals yellow (in Somalia), entire
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens glabrous; anthers basifixed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary globose; styles 1(–2)
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Samara subwoody, sometimes with a dorsal crest; lateral wing divided into narrow stellately arranged lobes.
[FSOM]

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

Morphology General Habit
Woody climbers, usually glabrous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, entire, usually with 2 glands on margin of lamina near base (in T. africana glands near apex of petiole); stipules very small
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence racemose, terminal; pedicels articulated, 2-bracteolate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals persistent, in some species with dorsal glands
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals oblong, clawed, keeled, entire
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens with glabrous basifixed anthers; filaments of outer whorl longer and broader at base
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary globose; only 1 (very seldom 2) styles fully developed, terete
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit subligneous; lateral wing divided into 4–10 narrow stellately arranged lobes; median wing usually absent; samara sometimes with a dorsal crest
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds subglobose, with a short acumen formed by the radicle.
[FTEA]

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