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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Pausandra
SUMMARY
Trees or shrubs, dioecious. Exudate (from cut stems) present, brown or red. Unarmed*. Indumentum present, hairs 2-armed, sometimes also simple. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, falling early. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin toothed, glands on leaf margin absent or present, blade not pellucid-punctate; venation pinnate; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent*. Petiole present, slightly swollen or bent at apex, also 2-glandular at apex. Inflorescence with axis, axillary, male spike- or panicle-like, female racemose; bracts inconspicuous, 2-glandular, not leaf-like*, green; pedicels very short (flowers almost sessile), not articulated*. Male flowers: calyx campanulate, sepals 4–5, imbricate, partially fused, greenish; petals 4–5, imbricate, partially fused, hairy inside, greenish; disc outside the staminal whorl (extrastaminal), cup-like, shallowly lobed, hairy; stamens 3–7, free; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae introrse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 5; imbricate, free or partially fused, greenish; petals 5, imbricate, partially fused, hairy inside, greenish; disc surrounding the ovary, cuplike, entire or lobed, glabrous; ovary locules 3, ovules per locule 1; styles 3, free, style 2-branched (i.e. ultimate divisions per locule 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: 8 spp.