Gymnanthes Sw.

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

Glabrous shrubs or trees, usually monoecious; leaves alternate, entire or toothed, with short non-glandular petioles; stipules present

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences spike-like, axillary, protected by a conspicuous bud, bisexual, with usually only 1 basal pistillate flower per spike; calyx small or absent; petals absent; disc absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Staminate flowers with rudimentary calyx of 1 or 2 small sepals, or absent; stamens 2 or 3 in lateral flowers of a cymule, 3–5 in central flowers; filaments free or joined at the base; rudimentary ovary absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Pistillate flowers usually 1 at the lowest node of the inflorescence; calyx minute, of 2 or 3 reduced sepals; ovary sessile or stalked, 3-celled with a solitary ovule in each cell; styles free or joined at the base, simple, slender and recurved

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a capsule with a persistent, 3-winged columella; seeds subglobose, smooth, and with a caruncle.

Distribution

A small Caribbean genus of 12 species.