Biology:Spermacoce

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Short description: Genus of plants

Spermacoce
Spermacoce ocymoides W IMG 2964.jpg
Spermacoce ocymoides
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Rubioideae
Tribe: Spermacoceae
Genus: Spermacoce
L.
Type species
Spermacoce tenuior
Synonyms[1]
  • Jurgensia Tennant
  • Adans., nom. rej. Bigelovia
  • Spreng., nom. illeg. Bigelowia
  • DC., orth. var. Borreria
  • G.Mey., nom. cons. Neck. ex A.Juss.
  • Neck., in opus utique oppr. Neck., in opus utique oppr.
  • (DC.) Hook.f. Loefl.
  • K.Schum. Raf.
  • K.Schum. Pterostephus
  • Dichrospermum Gruhlmania
  • Hypodematium Octodon
  • C.Presl Chaenocarpus
  • Chenocarpus Covolia
  • Dasycephala Bremek.
  • Neck., in opus utique oppr. A.Rich.), nom. illeg.
  • Thonn. Kuntze
  • Tardavel Spermacoceodes
  • Arbulocarpus Diodioides
  • Hemidiodia Paragophyton

Spermacoce or false buttonweed[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It comprises about 275 species found throughout the tropics and subtropics.[3] Its highest diversity is found in the Americas, followed by Africa, Australia and Asia.

Description

The species are herbs or small shrubs with small- to medium-sized, four-lobed flowers arranged in capitate inflorescences. Some have a brightly coloured calyx and are eye-catching, particularly the Australian species. The corolla is variable in colour, often white, but also all shades of blue, pink and maroon. The fruit is usually a two-seeded capsule, sometimes a schizocarp or nut.[4]

Selected species

Spermacoce is a highly diverse genus with about 275 species in many tropical and subtropical places around the globe.[3] North American species include:[5][6]

References

  1. "Spermacoce L..". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326325-2. 
  2. "Spermacoce". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SPERM. Retrieved 25 November 2015. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2012. Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. 4(2): i–xvi, 1–533. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
  5. Alftervista Flora of North America
  6. Biota of North America Program

External links

Gallery

Wikidata ☰ Q3314456 entry