Tovariaceae Pax

Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs or herbs, with a penetrating smell

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, trifoliolate; stipules minute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal and axillary, elongate racemes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic; sepals (6-)8(-9), free, soon falling; petals (6-)8(-9), free, shortly clawed, green to yellow; stamens (6-)8(-9), filaments sometimes hairy at the base, anthers dithecal, longitudinally dehiscent, basifixed; disc present; gynophore very short or absent; ovary superior, (4-)6(-8)-locular, style 1, very short or absent, stigma (4-)6(-8)-rayed, spreading, placentation axile, ovules many, campylotropous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits berries

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds many, small.

Diagnostic

Disc present; ovarysuperior, with 1 short style and a generally 6-rayed, spreading stigma. Key differences from similar families: Closest to Capparaceae (incl. Cleomaceae) and Brassicaceae. The differences among the three families are: 1.  Gynophore present; petals 4; stamens 4-many (all of the same length); stigma 1; fruit a capsule, berry, or drupe. Capparaceae (incl. Cleomaceae)1.  Gynophore absent or very short (<1 mm long); petals (6-)8(-9); stamens (6-)8(-9) (all of the same length); stigma (4-)6(-8)-rayed, spreading; fruit a berry. Tovariaceae1.  Gynophore absent; petals 4; stamens 6 (unequal: 4 long and 2 short); stigmas 2; fruit a siliqua.... Brassicaceae Distinguishing characters (always present): Shrubs or herbs, with a penetrating smell. Leaves alternate, trifoliolate. Inflorescences elongate racemes. Flowers usually with 8 sepals, petals, and stamens. Fruits: berries with many, small seeds.

Note

Number of genera: One genus restricted to the Neotropics, Tovaria (1-2 species). Notes on delimitation: The Tovariaceae are placed in the order Brassicales by the APG system (Stevens, 2008; APG III, 2009). In the past the family has often been included Capparaceae, and in Cronquist (1981) and Takhtajan (2009) the family was placed in the order Capparales.

Distribution

Tovaria is native in the Neotropics. The genus is not cultivated and not of any economic importance. A monogeneric family restricted to the Neotropics. Tovaria Ruiz & Pav. (1-2 spp.)  T. pendula Ruiz & Pav. common, in disturbed habitats such as roadsides and landslides in montane areas to 3,000 m, from Mexico in the North to Bolivia in the South; T. diffusa (Macfad.) Fawc. & Rendle in Jamaica, doubtfully distinct from T. pendula.