Bonnetiaceae L.Beauvis. ex Nakai

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 trees, glarous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences cymose or flowers solitary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers with 5 sepals; petals 5, free, contorted, white or pink; stamens numerous, sometimes in 5 antepetalous fascicles, anthers basifixed;  ovary superior, consisting of 3 - 5 carpels, styles free or basally fused; placentation central-Fruits septicidal capsules with 3-5 locules

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds small and numerous, often winged .

Distribution

Most species of Bonnetiaceae are confined to the Guayana region, but the Northern Andes, Eastern Brazil and Cuba have one species each. Native.

Diagnostic

Distinguishing characters (always present): Leaves are spirally inserted, entire, exstipulate and sessile to subsessile. Leaf margins are either smooth or finely serrate. Flower buds are somewhat pointed. Stamens are numerous and basifixed. Key to genera of Neotropical Bonnetiaceae 1. Stamens in fascicles; ovary 3-locular ... Archytaea 1. Stamens not in fascicles; ovary 4-5-locular ... Bonnetia Notable genera and distinguishing features: Bonnetia, with about 30 neotropical species, is a characteristic component of the vegetation of the tepuis, the sandstone plateaus of the Guayana shield. They are often small trees with leaves that may resemble those of monocotyledons in being sessile with parallel veins (actually secondary veins parallel to the midvein). Key differences from similar families: Alternate-leaved members of the Clusiaceae may be similar, but they either have exudate or anther-glands, both absent in the Bonnetiaceae. Leaves sometimes in terminalrosette and appearing parallel-veined.

Note

Number of genera: Two: Archytaea Mart &BonnetiaMart. Notes on delimitation: The Bonnetiaceae are related to the Clusiaceae and its segregate families Calophyllaceae and Hypericaceae. In this group of families also belong the Podostemaceae, a group of highly specialized aquatics found in fast-flowing streams. The closest relatives of the Bonnetiaceae are, according to the most recent molecular results, the Clusiaceae sensu stricto (Ruhfel et al. 2011).