Molluginaceae

Mollugo L.

First published in Sp. Pl.: 89 (1753)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is New World, Angola, Cape Prov., India, Sri Lanka.

Descriptions

Molluginaceae, M. L. Gonçalves. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary superior, of 3–5 united carpels, 3–5-locular; ovules many per locule; placentation axile.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a loculicidal capsule.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds many, compressed, triangular or ovate, estrophiolate.
Morphology General Habit
Erect or procumbent annual herbs.
Morphology Leaves
Leaves basal or in whorls on stem, linear, oblanceolate, obovate or spathulate, glabrous, entire, the radical ones often rosulate, the cauline sometimes lacking; stipules small or absent, often caducous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences cymose, laxly dichasial or umbelliform.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers hermaphrodite, greenish or whitish, inconspicuous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth
Perianth-segments 5, free.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 3–5, rarely more, hypogynous, free.
[FZ]

Aïzoaceae, C. Jeffrey. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1961

Morphology General Habit
Erect or procumbent annual herbs
Morphology Leaves
Leaves verticillate or sometimes opposite, linear, oblanceolate, obovate or spathulate, glabrous, entire, the radical often forming a basal rosette, the cauline sometimes lacking
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules small or absent, often caducous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences cymose, laxly dichasial or umbelliform
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers hermaphrodite, greenish, inconspicuous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 5, free
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 3–5, rarely 6–10, hypogynous, free
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary superior, of 3–5 united carpels, 3–5-locular; ovules axile, many per loculus
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a loculicidal capsule
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds many, estrophiolate.
[FTEA]

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

Morphology General Habit
Erect annual herbs in Somalia (elsewhere sometimes procumbent, perennial, even woody); all parts glabrous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite or whorled, linear to obovate; stipules minute or absent
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Flowers minute Inflorescence cymose, dichasial or umbel-like, lax (elsewhere ± racemose or in axillary clusters)
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 5, greenish
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes
Staminodes absent
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 3–5(–10), free
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 3–5-celled
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a 3–5-valved ovoid loculicidal capsule concealed by sepals
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds many, “D”-shaped, minute, compressed.
Distribution
Perhaps 12–15 species throughout tropical and warm temperate regions with a local centre of diversity in the Galapagos Is. and distinctive isolated species in Cuba and Madagascar; seven species in Africa and Madagascar.
[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

  • 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 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