Polygalaceae

Securidaca L.

First published in Syst. Nat., ed. 10. 2: 1155 (1759), nom. cons.
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropical & Subtropical.

Descriptions

Polygalaceae, A. W. Exell. Flora Zambesiaca 1:1. 1960

Morphology General Habit
Small trees or shrubs, often scandent, or lianes with entire, alternate leaves.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers zygomorphic, in terminal and axillary racemes or panicles.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 5, unequal, two lateral ones (wing-sepals) larger and petaloid, free.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 3 (occasionally 5, two being vestigial), lowest keel-shaped.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 8, monadelphous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 1-locular.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a samara (a 1-locular, 1-seeded, winged nut) usually 1-winged, occasionally with an additional rudimentary wing.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed without caruncle and without endosperm.
[FZ]

Polygalaceae, Jorge Paiva. Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2007

Morphology General Habit
Small trees or shrubs, mostly scandent or lianas
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules absent, when present glandular
Morphology Leaves
Leaves alternate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes or paniculate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts
Bracts and bracteoles small, caducous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 5, unequal, free, the 2 internal (lateral) ones larger and petaloid (wing-sepals)
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 3, occasionally 5, and then the 2 lateral ones vestigial, the 2 upper ones free from the lower one, which is ± keel-shaped (keel or carina), without a crest or appendages
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 8, partially fused at the base into a tapering sheath
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 2-locular, one abortive
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a 1-locular, 1-seeded, 1-winged nut (samara), occasionally with an additional rudimentary wing
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed without caruncle and endosperm.
[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