Flabellaria
Flabellaria is a genus in the Malpighiaceae, a family of about 75 genera of flowering plants in the order Malpighiales. Flabellaria includes one variable species, Flabellaria paniculata.
Flabellaria Temporal range: | |
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Fossil of Flabellaria mediterranea on display at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Malpighiaceae |
Genus: | Flabellaria Cav. |
Species: | F. paniculata |
Binomial name | |
Flabellaria paniculata | |
Etymology
The genus name Flabellaria comes from the Latin word flabellum meaning small fan, referring to the shape of the samara.[1]
Fossil record
This genus is known in the fossil record from the Cretaceous to the Eocene (age range: from 70.6 to 33.9 million years ago.).[2]
Description
Flabellaria paniculata, the only living species in this genus, can reach a length of 3–15 metres (9.8–49.2 ft). These plants are woody vine, with paniculate, lateral and terminal inflorescences up to 20 cm. long. Flowers are radially symmetrical, about 1 centimeter in diameter, with white and spatulate petals.[3] [4]
Distribution and habitat
Flabellaria paniculata is widely distributed in equatorial Africa in thickets, woodlands, and forests, especially along rivers, at an altitude of 1,150–1,650 metres (3,770–5,410 ft).[1][5][6]
Bibliography
- Abo, K.A., Olugbuyiro, J.A.O. (2004) Phytochemical and antibacterial studies of extracts of Flabellaria paniculata. African Journal of Biomedical Research 7(1):35-36.
- Abo, K.A., Olugbuyiro, J.A.O., Famakinde, S.A. (2004) Anti-infective and wound healing properties of Flabellaria paniculata 1. African journal of Biomedical Research 7 (2): 85–87.
- Olugbuyiro, J.A.O., Abo, K.A., Leigh, O.O. (2010) Wound healing effect Of Flabellaria paniculata leaf extracts Journal of Ethnopharmacology 127: 786–788.
- ORSTOM 1988. List Vasc. Pl. Gabon
References
- Tropicos
- Fossilworks
- Herbarium Malpighiaceae - description, taxonomy, phylogeny, and nomenclature
- Global Plants
- The Plant List
- African Plants Database