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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Codiaeum
SUMMARY
Trees or shrubs, monoecious, occasionally dioecious. Exudate (from cut stems) present, clear. Unarmed*. Glabrous throughout or indumentum present, hairs simple. Stipules 0, or minute, free*, simple, unlobed, entire*, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands, falling early. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, opposite (or almost so) or whorled, simple, unlobed or lobed, base symmetrical, margin entire, blade not pellucid-punctate, sometimes coloured and/or variegated, with or without glands at leaf base; venation pinnate; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent*. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence with axis, in upper leaf axils or almost terminal, sometimes subtended by a small roundish leaf, long, raceme-like, usually unisexual; bracts not leaf-like*, green. Male flowers: pedicels slender, articulate; sepals 3–6, imbricate, free, greenish; petals 3–6, small to minute, rarely 0, glabrous, greenish; disc glands 5–15, free, outside the staminal whorl (extrastaminal); stamens 15–100, free; anther with conspicuous modification, thecae extrorse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: pedicels slender, not articulate; sepals 3–6; imbricate, free, greenish; petals 0; disc surrounding the ovary, cup-like, more or less entire; ovary locules 3–4, ovules per locule 1; styles 3–4, free or partially fused, style entire or rarely 2-branched (i.e. ultimate divisions per locule 1–2, styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, not sculptured*, greenish to brown; seed with caruncle, with no other covering or membranous layer; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
World Checklist: 17 spp.