Doryphora Explained

Doryphora is a genus of 2 species of flowering plants in the family Atherospermataceae that are endemic to Australia. Plants in the genus Doryphora are medium-sized to tall trees with glabrous, leathery, sometimes serrated leaves, and flowers usually arranged in groups of 3, each flower with both make and female parts, usually 4 or 6 tepals, 6 stamens and 6 to 12 carpels.

Description

Plants in the genus Doryphora are medium-sized to tall trees with aromatic bark and leaves. The leaves af glabrous, leathery and sometimes deeply serrated. The flowers are bisexual, usually borne in groups of 3 in leaf axils, with large bracts covering the flower, but falling off as the flower matures. Each flower has a bell-shaped hypanthium, usually 4 or 6 tepals, six male stamens, 6 to 12 staminodes, and 6 to 12 carpels. The fruit is oval to cylindrical or urn-shaped, and splits into 2 to 4 equal valves.[1] [2]

Taxonomy

The genus Doryphora was first formally described in 1837 by Stephan Endlicher in Genera Plantarum Secundum Ordines Naturales Disposita, and the first species he described (the type species) was Doryphora sassafras.[3] [4] The name of the genus means "spear-carrier", a reference to the prominent appendages on the anthers.[5]

List of species

The following is a list of Doryphora species accepted by Plants of the World Online as at May 2024:[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Foreman . Donald B. . Whiffin . Trevor P. . Doryphora . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 12 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Hardne . Gwen J. . Genus Doryphora . Royal Botanic Garden Sydney . 12 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Doryphora . Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) . . 12 May 2024.
  4. Book: Endlicher . Stephan . Genera plantarum secundum ordines naturales disposita . 1837 . Apud F. Beck . New York . 315 . 12 May 2024.
  5. Book: Robinson . Les . Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney . 1991 . Kangaroo Press . Kenthurst, N.S.W. . 0864171927 . 353.
  6. Web site: Doryphora . Plants of the World Online . 12 May 2024.