Phyllobotryon spatulatum

Phyllobotryon spatulatum is a large shrub or small tree native to tropical West Africa.

Phyllobotryon spatulatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Phyllobotryon
Species:
P. spatulatum
Binomial name
Phyllobotryon spatulatum
Müll.Arg.
Synonyms
  • Phyllobotryon basiflorum Gilg
  • Phyllobotryon breviflorum Gilg ex Engl.
  • Phyllobotryon soyauxianum Baill.
  • Phyllobotryon zenkeri Gilg
  • Phylloclinium soyauxianum Baill. ex Warb.

Description edit

The species grows to about 12 feet (3.7 m) in height. Its leaves are uncommonly large and grow to 40 inches (100 cm) long by 7 inches (18 cm) wide. It is especially noted for its flowers, which grow in several evenly-spaced clusters along the midrib of the leaves.[1] It is believed that an inflorescence has become fused to the midrib, as in the lindens (Tilia spp). The small red flowers are trimerous, with 3 sepals, 3 petals a pistil with 3 stigmata and about thirty stamens.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Menninger, Edwin A. Fantastic Trees. New York: The Viking Press. pp. 52, 264 and photo p. 47.
  2. ^ "Phyllobotryon spathulatum Müll.Arg". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved October 7, 2021.