Lacistemataceae
Mac H. Alford
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close boxIntroduction
Lacistemataceae are a small neotropical family consisting of two genera and 14 species. The family is characterized by catkin-like cylindrical spikes or spiciform racemes, minute apetalous flowers with a single stamen (usually with an expanded connective), and parietal placentation.
Traditionally, the family has been allied with Salicaceae or Flacourtiaceae. Lacistemataceae were treated as tribe Lacistemeae in Sleumer's (1980) monograph of all neotropical Flacourtiaceae, a family now split mostly among Achariaceae, Salicaceae, and Samydaceae.
Characteristics
Shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, stipulate, blades pinnately veined, margins entire to denticulate or serrate. Inflorescences axillary spiciform racemes or catkin-like cylindrical spikes. Flowers minute, bisexual (or polygamous), each flower subtended by a bract. Sepals one to six. Petals lacking. Disk present. Stamen one, attached to the inner surface of disk, anther dehiscence introrse. Gynoecium of one pistil, ovary superior, unilocular, placentation parietal, ovules anatropous, style short or long, stigmas (two or) three. Fruit berry-like, but eventually dehiscent by three loculicidal valves. Seeds one or few, arillate, embryo straight, cotyledons foliaceous.
References
Chase, M. W., S. Zmarzty, M. D. Lledó, K. J. Wurdack, S. M. Swensen, and M. F. Fay. 2002. When in doubt, put it in Flacourtiaceae: a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on plastid rbcL DNA sequences. Kew Bulletin 57: 141-181.
Chirtoiü, M. 1918. Observations sur les Lacistema et la situation systématique de ce genre. Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève, sér. 2, 10: 317-349.
Sleumer, H. O. 1980. Flacourtiaceae. Flora Neotropica No. 22. Bronx: New York Botanical Garden.
Information on the Internet
- E-Monograph and Database of Lacistemataceae. Portal for recent research on the family.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Lacistema aggregatum |
|---|---|
| Location | Costa Rica: Guanacaste: 25 km NE of Liberia |
| Specimen Condition | Live Specimen |
| Identified By | Mac H. Alford |
| Collection | BH |
| Collector | Mac H. Alford |
| Image Use |
 This media file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License - Version 3.0.
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| Copyright |
© 2002 Mac H. Alford
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| Scientific Name | Lacistema aggregatum |
|---|---|
| Location | Panama: Barro Colorado Island |
| Creator | Steven Paton |
| Copyright | © 2006 |
About This Page
Mac H. Alford
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Mac H. Alford at
Page copyright © 2005 Mac H. Alford
All Rights Reserved.
- First online 01 February 2005
Citing this page:
Alford, Mac H. 2005. Lacistemataceae. Version 01 February 2005 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Lacistemataceae/21145/2005.02.01 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
