Jump to content

Spermacoce

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Borreria)

Spermacoce
Spermacoce ocymoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Rubioideae
Tribe: Spermacoceae
Genus: Spermacoce
L.
Type species
Spermacoce tenuior
Synonyms[1]
  • Arbulocarpus Tennant
  • Bigelovia Spreng., nom. illeg.
  • Bigelowia DC., orth. var.
  • Borreria G.Mey., nom. cons.
  • Chaenocarpus Neck. ex A.Juss.
  • Chenocarpus Neck., in opus utique oppr.
  • Covolia Neck., in opus utique oppr.
  • Dasycephala (DC.) Hook.f.
  • Dichrospermum Bremek.
  • Diodioides Loefl.
  • Gruhlmania Neck., in opus utique oppr.
  • Hemidiodia K.Schum.
  • Hypodematium A.Rich.), nom. illeg.
  • Jurgensia Raf.
  • Octodon Thonn.
  • Paragophyton K.Schum.
  • Pterostephus C.Presl
  • Spermacoceodes Kuntze
  • Tardavel Adans., nom. rej.

Spermacoce or false buttonweed[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It comprises about 275 species found throughout the tropics and subtropics.[3] Its highest diversity is found in the Americas, followed by Africa, Australia and Asia. It can be used for the treatment of eczema by rubbing the leaves on the affected part.

Description

[edit]

The species are herbs or small shrubs with small- to medium-sized, four-lobed flowers arranged in capitate inflorescences. Some have a brightly coloured calyx and are eye-catching, particularly the Australian species. The corolla is variable in colour, often white, but also all shades of blue, pink and maroon. The fruit is usually a two-seeded capsule, sometimes a schizocarp or nut.[4]

Selected species

[edit]

Spermacoce is a highly diverse genus with over 290 species in many tropical and subtropical places around the globe.[3] North American species include:[5][6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Spermacoce L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  2. ^ NRCS. "Spermacoce". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. ^ Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2012. Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. 4(2): i–xvi, 1–533. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
  5. ^ Alftervista Flora of North America
  6. ^ Biota of North America Program
[edit]
[edit]