Hilleria Vell.

First published in Fl. Flumin.: 47 (1829)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is S. Tropical America.

Descriptions

Phytolaccaceae, B. L. Stannard. Flora Zambesiaca 9:1. 1988

Morphology General Habit
Herbs, sometimes woody at base.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves ovate or elliptic to broadly lanceolate, acuminate, rounded to cuneate and often unequal at base, petiolate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences terminal and axillary racemes.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers hermaphrodite, more or less zygomorphic.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts
Bracts single, caudate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles
Bracteoles in pairs.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, one free, 3 united with centre one slightly larger, accrescent at fruiting.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 4–13; filaments filiform; anthers dorsifixed.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary subspherical, slightly compressed laterally, unicarpellate; style indistinct or short, stigma capitate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit lenticulate, sometimes slightly asymmetric, pericarp reticulately wrinkled.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed discoidal; testa black.
[FZ]

Phytolaccaceae, R. M. Polhill. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1971

Morphology General Habit
Herbs, often somewhat shrubby
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers in terminal and axillary racemes, hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, oblique
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, 1 free, ± oblong-elliptic, the others united to ± the middle, with the rounded median lobe the longer, accrescent, surrounding the fruit, becoming prominently 3-nerved and sometimes brightly coloured
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 4(–13); anthers dorsifixed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary of1 carpel, somewhat laterally compressed; style very short to as long as the ovary, tapered or capitate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit discoidal, with a slightly toughened skin closely adhering to the seed, reticulately nerved when dry
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed similarly shaped, with a brittle black testa.
[FTEA]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • 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
  • 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 2025. 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 2025. 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