Scientific name Vochysiaceae Rank Family | Higher classification Polygalales | |
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Vochysiaceae is a plant family belonging to the order of Myrtales.
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Description
Trees or shrubs with opposite leaves; flowers are zygomorph 1-(3)-5 merous; ovary inferior or superior; one fertile stamen; fruits samara or capsules.
Biogeography
Six of the eight genera are native to the Neotropics. The genera Erismadelphus and Korupodendron are native to West and Central Africa.
Evolutionary history
The family likely originated in South America. Erismadelphus is thought to have diverged from Erisma approximately 30 million years ago, and traveled to Africa as the result of long-distance dispersal.
Systematics
Vochysiaceae are closest to [[Myrtaceae]]. Vochysiaceae consist of 7 genera with 217 species. The family is classified in two tribes:
Tribe Erismeae : one inferior ovary and winged fruits
Tribe Vochysieae: three fused superior ovaries and capsule fruits
The genus Euphronia, previously included in Vochysiaceae, is unrelated and now stands alone in the family Euphroniaceae, more closely related to the family Chrysobalanaceae.
