Indo-Burmese Phyllanthaceae A Taxonomic Revision

About this book

The family Phyllanthaceae is a segregate of the heterogeneous mega-family Euphorbiaceae, based on phylogenetic considerations, placed in the order Malpighiales under Eudicotidae, a clade in flowering plants. The family is distinct in their pollen grains showing three colpi or grooves paralleling the polar axis and biovulate locules of ovaries. They also show bitegmic ovules with non-vascularized inner integument and exarillate seeds.

The family is cosmopolitan and mainly distributed in humid tropics. The authors have revised the family as represented in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar) and Sri Lanka forming a distinct phytogeographical conglomeration. This work includes 2 subfamilies, 6 tribes, 16 genera and 214 species. The biggest genus is Phyllanthus with 67 species, which includes the medicinally important Amla, the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica). There are several economically and medicinally important species in the family.

The work provides detailed descriptions of the family, subfamilies, tribes, genera and species. For easy identification bracketed keys to all levels of classification are provided. For each species, detailed nomenclature, typification, description, flowering and fruiting period, local names, habitat, distribution and specimens examined have been provided. Photographs of 93 species have been included for quick identification. A comprehensive bibliography includes citations of important literature relevant to the area.

Contents

Preface
Introduction

Taxonomy
Subfamily I. Antidesmatoideae
      Tribe 1. Antidesmateae
            Subtribe 1a. Antidesmatinae
                  1. Antidesma
            Subtribe 1b. Hymenocardiinae
                  2. Hymenocardia
      Tribe 2. Bischofieae
                  3. Bischofia
      Tribe 3. Scepea
                  4. Aporosa
                  5. Baccaurea
Subfamily II. Phyllanthoideae
      Tribe 4. Bridelieae
            Subtribe 4a. Bridelineae
                  6. Bridelia
            Subtribe 4b. Pseudolachnostylidinae
                  7. Cleistanthus
      Tribe 5. Phyllantheae
                  8. Breynia
                  9. Flueggia
                  10. Glochidion
                  11. Margaritaria
                  12. Phyllanthus
      Tribe 6. Poranthereae
                  13. Actephila
                  14. Andrachne
                  15. Leptopus
                  16. Meineckia

Bibliography
Index
Botanical names
Vernacular names

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