Purdiaea Explained

Purdiaea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Clethraceae described as a genus in 1846.^{[1] [2] [3]} It is one of two genera in this family, and was formerly classified in the related family Cyrillaceae. Purdiaea is native to tropical regions of the Caribbean (with the highest species diversity on Cuba), Central America and northern South America, further south than the related genus Clethra, the only other genus of this family.

The genus is composed of shrubs and small trees with alternating leaves.

Selected species

• Purdiaea belizensis (A.C.Sm. & Standl.) J.L.Thomas – "Belize purdiaea," Central America.
• Purdiaea cubensis (A.Rich.) Urb. – "Cuban purdiaea," "Clavellina," SE USA, Cuba.
• Purdiaea ekmanii Vict. – Cuba
• Purdiaea microphylla Britton & P.Wilson – Cuba
• Purdiaea nipensis Vict. & León – Cuba
• Purdiaea nutans G.Planch. – Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru
• Purdiaea ophiticola Vict. – Cuba
• Purdiaea shaferi Britton – Cuba
• Purdiaea stenopetala Griseb. – Cuba
• Purdiaea tereosepala J.L.Thomas – Cuba
• Purdiaea velutina Britton & P.Wilson – Cuba

External links

• Anderberg, A. A. & Zhang, Z. (2002). Phylogenetic relationships of Cyrillaceae and Clethraceae (Ericales) with special emphasis on the genus Purdiaea. Organisms, Div. & Evol. 2: 127–137 abstract.
• Notes on the genus Purdiaea
• New York Botanical Gardens: Purdiaea herbarium specimens list
• Photos of P. cubensis
• Photo of P. nutans

Notes and References

1. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/775619#page/255/mode/1up Planchon, Jules Émile. 1846. London Journal of Botany 5: 250-254
2. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/775619#page/679/mode/1up Planchon, Jules Émile. 1846. London Journal of Botany 5: plate IX
3. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40020806 Tropicos, Purdiaea Planch.