ALANGIACEAE
NB Synonym of Cornaceae; result for Alangium will key out here.
Morphological description
Trees, exstipulate.
Leaves usually alternate or spiral, simple, entire, venation usually ± palmate.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence cymose.
Flowers
Flowers 4-10-merous; petals free, valvate, disk intrastaminal; ovary inferior, 1- or 2-locular, 1 (hanging) ovule per cell; number of stamens usually twice the number of petals.
Different from: Cornaceae: leaves often decussate, stamens as many as petals.
Distribution: The only genus, Alangium, widespread from West Africa to Japan and Fiji, several species in Malesia, mostly in lowland and lower montane forest.
Notes: Fruit of several species eaten by birds and mammals.
Literature: S. Bloembergen, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg III, 16 (1939) 139-235.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Alangium petiole swollen apically (p.p.), dry leaves yellow, leaves bullate (p.p.), leaf with domatia, asymmetric simple leaves, leaf margin dentate/serrate, leaves triplinerved (p.p.), stellate hairs (p.p.); ovary inferior, stamens with appendages or hair tufts (p.p.); fruit ridged (p.p.); A. salvifolium climbers without hooks/tendrils, armed plants; A. scandens climbers without hooks/tendrils.
Illustrations: Fig. 4. S. Bloembergen, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg III, 16 (1939) 139-235.
Image in PhytoImages for Alangium