Sauropus

Sauropus
Sauropus albiflorus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Tribe: Phyllantheae
Subtribe: Flueggeinae
Genus: Sauropus
Blume
Species

About 40; see text

Synonyms[1]

The genus Sauropus, of the Phyllanthaceae family, comprises about 40 species of herbs, shrubs or subshrubs, sometimes with woody bases. These plants can be monoecious or dioecious. They are distributed in Southeast Asia, Malesia and Australia.

Description

Sauropus species have alternate, entire leaves with short petioles and small stipules. Flowers appear at axiles and mainly form clusters. There are 6 perianth segments divided in 2 whorls, with female flowers often having bigger perianths. At male flowers, the perianth is tube-like, with 3 stamen. The fruit is berry-like, ovoid or globose, and fleshy.

Species include

Formerly placed here

Sauropus elegantissimus has become Breynia retusa.

References

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