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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Margaritaria
SUMMARY
Trees, shrubs or rarely climbers (scandent), dioecious or rarely monoecious. Exudate absent*. Unarmed*. Glabrous throughout or indumentum present, hairs simple. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire*, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, sometimes deciduous, alternate (distichous), simple, unlobed, never peltate, base symmetrical, margin entire, leaf blade not pellucid-punctate; ; leaf glands absent*; venation pinnate; domatia absent*; stipel-like appendages absent*. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence without axis, axillary, males several, fasciculate, the females few or solitary; bracts not leaf-like*, green; pedicels present, very slender in male flowers, not articulated*. Male flowers: sepals 4, imbricate, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc surrounding the staminal whorl (extrastaminal), annular (more or less entire); stamens 4, free; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae extrorse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 4, imbricate, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc surrounding the ovary, annular (more or less entire); ovary locules 2 – 6, ovules per locule 2; styles 3*, free or partially fused, 2- or 3-branched (i.e. each style divided, ultimate divisions per locule 2 – 3), styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent (irregularly) or indehiscent, unsculptured*, greenish to brown; seed fully covered by a fleshy outer layer (sarcotesta), blue iridescent; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
World Checklist: 13 spp.