FSA contributions 21 : Connaraceae

Abstract

Connaraceae R.Br. comprise mostly woody climbers, which climb by means of the winding ends of young branches, less often shrubs or small trees, and rarely rhizomatous shrublets. In the FSA-region, members are recognized by alternate, exstipulate, imparipinnately compound leaves, with transversely-ridged petioles; entire leafl et margins and oblique bases (Cnestis); and the actinomorphic, 5-merous fl owers with stamens of two lengths. The usually single follicles are ± ridged and swell to almost mature size well before the solitary, black or red arillated seeds develop, with the ripe seeds partly squeezed out of the follicle. Connaraceae are pantropical in distribution, but mainly southern hemisphere, with species occurring in both the Old and New World. Members of the family can be found in lowland rain forest or forest patches in savannas (Heywood 2007).