e-Key v3 - Protorhus
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Anacardiaceae - Protorhus Engl.

Description :

  • Trees, dioecious, sometimes with bisexual flowers
  • Leaves opposite or subopposite, simple, entire to undulate
  • Flowers in small, axillary or large, terminal panicles
  • Calyx 1-partite
  • Petals 5, imbricate
  • Disc urceolate in male, and saucer-shaped in female flowers
  • Stamens 5, arising below rim of disc
  • Ovary 1-locular, ovoid or subglobose, with a solitary, pendulous ovule; funicle attached laterally to wall which has oil ducts; styles 3, connate at base; stigmas capitate
  • Fruit a black, 1-seeded drupe
  • Seeds oblong, with membranous testa

Nomenclature:

  • Protorhus Engl.
    • Engler: 377, 420 (1881)
    • Fernandes: 37 (1966)~(Page number suspect - No access to the publication)
    • Von Teichman & Van Wyk: 175 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 20, Madagascar, 1 in southern Africa
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Protorhus longifolia (Bernh.) Engl., Namibia, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern and Eastern Cape

References:

  • ENGLER, H.G.A. 1881. Über die morphologischen Verhältnisse und die geographische Verbreitung der Gattung Rhus , wie der mit ihr verwandten, lebenden und ausgestorbenen Anacardiaceae . Botanische Jahrbücher 1
  • FERNANDES, R. & FERNANDES, A. 1966. Anacardiaceae . Flora zambesiaca 2,2
  • VON TEICHMAN, I. & VAN WYK, A.E. 1994. The generic position of Protorhus namaquensis Sprague ( Anacardiaceae ): evidence from fruit structure. Annals of Botany 73