Crypteroniaceae A.DC.

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution

A pantropical family of three genera and 10 species, with a distribution ranging from Sri Lanka throughout Malesia and South-East Asia to New Guinea; the centre of diversity appears to be in Borneo. Crypteroniaceae are found in lowland and montane forests to 1300 m. The family is sister to Alzateaceae and Peneaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Evergreen trees

Morphology Branches

Young branchlets often with ribs or wings, nodes thickened, with a faint intrapetiolar line

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules rudimentary or absent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, petiolate, simple, entire, elliptic, ovate or lanceolate, pinnately veined, often with an intra-marginal vein

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminal or axillary, pendulous or erect, elongated spikes, racemes or panicles, many-flowered

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual or unisexual (plants polygamodioecious), small (max. 4 mm across), 4–6-merous, peri- to epigynous; receptacle cupular or campanulate; calyx lobes triangular; petals hood-like in bud, enclosing the stamens, or absent, falling early; stamens in a single whorl, equal in number to petals (in New Guinea) inflexed in bud, exserted at maturity, anthers dorsifixed, dehiscence lengthwise; ovary superior or semi-superior, 2–6-locular, placentation parietal, septal or basal; style persistent, stigma linear or capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a loculicidal capsule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds usually many, flattened with a membranous wing, lacking endosperm.