ERYTHROXYLACEAE
Morphological description
Woody, non-climbing. Usually young twigs flat
Leaves
Leaves simple, alternate, entire, penninerved,with thin lines parallel to the midrib, stipules connate intrapetiolar, leaving annular scar.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence usually axillary clusters.
Flowers
Flower 5-merous, actinomorphic, bisexual, calyx lobes imbricate, petals quincuncial, with a scale at base; stamens 10, filaments connate at base; ovary superior, 3 styles. Usually 5 long, 5 short stamens; ovary 3-celled, 1 pendulous ovule per cell
Fruit
Fruit a drupe.
Different from: Linaceae: stipules not connate, petals without a scale.
Distribution: The only genus, Erythroxylum, is pantropical; in Malesia it is represented by two native species.
Notes: Erythroxylum coca* and E. novogranatense* from South America are the source of cocaine. These species are also planted as ornamentals. — The wood of the native species is locally used as timber. — Several species show flower dimorphism.
Literature: J.P.D.W. Payens, Fl. Males. I, 5 (1958) 543-552.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): 33, 82, 84.
Illustrations: Fig. 61. Erythroxylon ecarinatum Burck: a. habit; b. fruiting twig; c. flower; d. idem, petals removed; e. style; f & g. petal; h. stipule; i. CS of fruit; j. CS of fruit of E. cuneatum (Miq.) Kurz.
Image in PhytoImages for Erythroxylaceae