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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Ditaxis
SUMMARY
Shrubs or annual or perennial herbs, monoecious or rarely dioecious. Exudate absent. Unarmed*. Indumentum present, hairs 2-armed, sometimes also simple. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate or fasciculate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin toothed or entire, blade not pellucid-punctate; leaf glands absent; blade 3-veined from base; domatia absent*; stipel-like appendages absent*. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence with axis, axillary, racemose, mostly short and dense, rarely elongated, usually bisexual, male flowers above, female toward base; bracts not leaf-like*, green; pedicels usually very short, not articulated*, in males sometimes 0. Male flowers: sepals 5, valvate, free or partially fused, greenish; petals 5, free, clawed, greenish or red, glabrous; disc glands 5, free, sometimes joined to androphore; stamens 8–10, filaments united into a column, shortly free above, in 2 whorls, sometimes with a third whorl of sterile stamens above; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae introrse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 5–6, imbricate or valvate, free or partially fused, greenish; petals 5–6, greenish or red, glabrous; disc surrounding the ovary, comprised of distinct parts (separate or adjacent); ovary locules 3, ovules per locule 1; styles 3, free or partially fused, 2 – many branched at apex; styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, unsculptured*, 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: about 50 spp.