Capparaceae

Crateva L.

First published in Sp. Pl.: 444 (1753)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropics & Subtropics.

Descriptions

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution
A small genus of ten species, throughout the tropics, with a single species in New Guinea: Crateva religiosa G.Forst.
Morphology General Habit
Trees to 30 m (in New Guinea)
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules small, caducous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves 3-foliolate, leaflets sessile to shortly stalked, the lateral leaflet blades asymmetric; petiole relatively long
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences terminal, racemose or appearing corymbiform
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals equal, ovate-spathulate; petals distinctly clawed, ovate to rhomboid, first white, later cream-coloured; stamens (8–)12–30, filaments at the very base connate with the gynophore, relatively long; gynophore approximately as long as the stamens; ovary 1-locular, placentas 2, ovules numerous; stigma conspicuous, flat
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a large berry, pedicel, torus and gynophore woody and thickened, pericarp tough and sometimes papillate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds numerous, up to 50, densely packed, embedded in pulp.
Ecology
Crateva religiosa has been collected in a variety of lowland habitats including primary swamp and rain forest, as well as disturbed rain forest and secondary regrowth, from sea level to 200 m.
Recognition
It can be recognised by the small, caducous stipules (i.e. lacking paired stipule spines as in Capparis), the palmately compound leaves with almost sessile leaflets, inflorescences at the end of branches, corymbose racemes, and the relatively large flowers with winged petals, and the fruit borne on the woody and thickened pedicel, gynophore and receptacle.
[TONG]

Capparidaceae, J. Elffers, R. A. Graham And G. P. Dewolf. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1964

Morphology General Habit
Small trees with pedately 3-foliolate, membranous leaves
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence a terminal, pseudo-terminal or lateral often corymbose raceme, apparently at least occasionally growing out as a leafy twig; bracts 3-foliolate or subulate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, irregularly imbricate, the buds opening prematurely to expose the immature corolla, stamens and gynoecium; receptacle shallowand bowl-shaped, the thickened or inflexed rim forming the disk
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4, clawed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Androphore short and stout, scarcely as long as the receptacle; stamens 15–20
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary globose with 2 lateral placentas, many-ovulate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruits globose, crustaceous, many-seeded.
[FTEA]

Capparidaceae, H. Wild. Flora Zambesiaca 1:1. 1960

Morphology General Habit
Shrubs or trees with 3-foliolate, petiolate leaves.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence of axillary or terminal, corymbose racemes.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers bisexual or unisexual by abortion.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, open in aestivation, arising from a shallow receptacle.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4 (5), rather large, clawed.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androgynophore
Androgynophore short, dilated.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 8–50.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary ovoid or globose on a long gynophore, 1-locular or 2-locular by intrusion of the 2 placentas, multi-ovulate; stigma subsessile.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit globose or ovoid with a coriaceous pericarp, borne on a stout stipe.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds many, reniform with a coriaceous testa.
[FZ]

Capparidaceae, H. Wild. Flora Zambesiaca 1:1. 1960

Morphology General Habit
Shrubs or small trees with 3-foliolate, petiolate leaves with articulated petioles and petiolules; stipules minute and inconspicuous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers in rather loose, corymbose racemes.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, free or almost free.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4 with the two upper larger, unguiculate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynophore
Gynophore with an appendix near its base of 5–6 filiform segments.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 5–9 adhering to the gynophore for the greater part of their length, unequal; anthers linear, curved.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary 1-locular with 2 multiovulate parietal placentas; stigma peltate, subsessile.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit large, globose with a longish stalk; pericarp coriaceous.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds numerous, subglobose; cotyledons large, fleshy, curved.
[FZ]

Capparidaceae, J. Elffers, R. A. Graham And G. P. Dewolf. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1964

Morphology General Habit
Small tree or shrub, glabrous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves alternate, 3-foliolate; petiolules articulate at the base
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules minute and inconspicuous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence a terminal or pseudo-terminal somewhat corymbose raceme; pedicels long
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, free, papyraceous, probably irregularly imbricate in bud, opening prematurely to expose the undeveloped floral parts; receptacle not developed into a cup or disk
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4, in 2 pairs; adaxial petals 2–4 times as long as the abaxial, clawed, with an expanded limb; abaxial petals linear
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens dimorphic; adaxial stamens united into a short cylindrical column surmounted by a number of usually well-developed stamens; abaxial stamens united into an elongate androphore, which surrounds the gynophore for more than half its length
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Gynophore stout in fruit; ovary ovoid, 2-locular; placentas 2, lateral, with 2–several rows of ovules; stigma peltate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruits globose
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds flattened pyriform or reniform.
[FTEA]

Capparidaceae, J. Elffers, R. A. Graham And G. P. Dewolf. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1964

Morphology General Habit
Small to large shrubs or small trees, glabrous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves alternate, 3-foliolate; petiolules articulate at the base
Morphology Leaves Stipules
Stipules minute and inconspicuous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence a terminal somewhat corymbose raceme; pedicels long
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 4, papyraceous, irregularly imbricate in bud, opening prematurely to expose the undeveloped floral parts
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4, in 2 pairs; adaxial petals 2–4 times as long as the abaxial, clawed with the limb somewhat expanded; abaxial petals linear
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle
Receptacle not developed into a cup or disk
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens dimorphic; adaxial stamens united into a flat staminode, surmounted by a number of filamentous processes with reduced anthers; abaxial stamens 4–7, free
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil
Ovary narrowly or broadly fusiform, 1-locular; placentas 2, lateral, with 2 rows of ovules; stigma capitate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruits torulose or broadly fusiform
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds cylindrical, cylindrical-reniform or reniform.
[FTEA]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Trees of New Guinea

    • Trees of New Guinea
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0