Family Rhizophoraceae
Description: Evergreen trees or shrubs, often mangroves; terminal buds on leafy shoots enclosed by pairs of rolled stipules.
Leaves usually opposite, decussate, often leathery, petiolate; stipules interpetiolar, caducous, leaving an annular scar.
Inflorescences axillary, cymose or flowers solitary. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual. Calyx 3–16-lobed, valvate, persistent. Corolla lobes equal in number to the calyx lobes. Stamens usually twice the number of the petals, inserted on the rim of the hypanthium; anthers mostly 4-locular, sometimes multi-locular (Rhizophora). Ovary inferior or half-inferior, 2–12-locular; ovules 1 or 2 per loculus, pendent; style simple; stigma entire or lobed.
Fruit pulpy or leathery, indehiscent; seeds usually viviparous.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c . 16 genera, 120 species, in tropical & subtropical areas, especially Africa & eastern Asia. Australia: 4 genera, 13 species (native), Qld, N.S.W., N.T., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Rhizophoraceae, Order: Malpighiales)
Wikipedia
Text by S. M. Hastings
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Trees with extensively branched aerial stilt roots forming a looping complex; sepals 4; petals 4; ovary half-inferior | Rhizophora |
| Trees with small prop roots and knobbly knee-like pneumatophores; sepals 8–16; petals 5–16; ovary inferior | Bruguiera |
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