e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703146452098_21393876930731692" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Icacin<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703146452098_9211828923710106" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>aceae
SANBI Flora Keys Logo
Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

DICOTYLEDON - ROSIDAE - ICACINALES - Icacinaceae

Compiled by R.H. Archer

Description:

  • Trees or shrubs, sometimes scandent, or lianas, sometimes spinescent
  • Leaves alternate or opposite, simple; stipules 0
  • Flowers regular, bisexual or unisexual by abortion, sometimes with a single perianth whorl
  • Calyx (3)4- or 5-toothed or -lobed (Pyrenacantha)
  • Petals as many as sepals, free or united at base, imbricate or valvate
  • Stamens as many as petals and alternating with them; filaments free or connate, sometimes hairy; anthers 2-thecous with longitudinal slits
  • Ovary superior, 1-locular, with 2 pendulous ovules in each locule; style simple or 0; stigma small or consisting of a number of radiating tubes
  • Fruit a drupe
  • Seeds usually solitary, pendulous, compressed, ovate-reniform; embryo usually small, ± straight; endosperm oily, usually copious

Nomenclature:

  • Icacinaceae
    • Mendes: 340 (1963)
    • Potgieter: 1 (1994)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Genera ± 53; species ± 400, predominantly tropical forest
  • Southern Africa: Genera 3, species 8

References:

  • MENDES, E.J. 1963. Icacinaceae. Flora zambesiaca 2,1
  • POTGIETER, M.J. 1994. Contributions to the systematics of southern African Icacinaceae. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, University of Pretoria

Resources:

  • Icacinaceae genera:
Apodytes Cassinopsis Pyrenacantha  

Copyright of the content hosted by this website remains with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), unless stated otherwise.
Material from this site may be used in other media, provided that SANBI is acknowledged by the name South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) or refer to the 'How to cite this resource' paragraph on the Home page.
Liability disclaimer: Visitors use this site at their own risk and SANBI is not liable for any of the consequences resulting therefrom.