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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Adelia
SUMMARY
Trees or shrubs, dioecious. Exudate absent*. Armed (branches often ending in a sharp point). Indumentum present, lost early, hairs simple. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem or clustered together on very short shoots, deciduous, alternate or fasciculate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin entire, blade finely pellucid-punctate or not; leaf glands absent; venation pinnate, rarely 3-veined from base; domatia present; stipel-like appendages absent*; sometimes smelling of curry powder when dried. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence without axis, axillary, males fasciculate on very short shoots, females solitary or in pairs; bracts not leaf-like*, green; pedicels present, slender, articulated or not. Male flowers: pedicels short; sepals 4–5, valvate, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc outside the staminal whorl (extrastaminal), usually annular, rarely of 5 segments; stamens 8–17, free at first, soon fused at base or into a column; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae latrorse in bud; pistillode present. Female flowers: pedicels long; sepals 5–7, greenish; petals 0; disc surrounding the ovary, annular; ovary locules 3–4, ovules per locule 1; styles 3–4, free or almost so, style much divided at apex, styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, not sculptured*, hairy, greenish to brown; seed without appendage, covering or membraneous layer*, not fleshy; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
World Checklist: 10 spp.