Clusia
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Clusia is the type genus of the family Clusiaceae. Comprising 140-150 species, it is native to tropical and subtropical America. Its species are shrubs, vines and small to medium-size trees up to 20 m tall, with evergreen foliage. Some species start life as epiphytes, then developing long roots that descend to the ground and eventually strangle and kill the host tree, in a manner similar to banyans.
The leaves are opposite, 5-20 cm long and 5-10 cm broad, with a leathery texture and an entire margin. The flowers are white to greenish-white, yellow or pink, with 4-9 petals. The fruit is a leathery greenish-brown valvate capsule which splits open to release several red, fleshy-coated seeds.
Taxonomy
This genus is known under several other names:- Androstylium [Miq.]]
- Cochlanthera Choisy
- Decaphalangium Melch.
- Havetia Kunth
- Havetiopsis Planch. & Triana
- Oedematopus Planch. & Triana
- Oxystemon Planch. & Triana
- Pilosperma Planch. & Triana
- Quapoya Aubl.
- Renggeria Meisn.
- Rengifa Poepp. & Endl.
External links
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