PlantNET Home DONATE TODAY | PlantNET Home | Search NSW Flora | Contact Us  
FloraOnline
Introduction
Plant Name Search
Index Search
Spatial Search
Identification Keys
Classification
Glossary
WeedAlert
Telopea Journal
Other Data Sources
NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE Printable Page

Genus Psychotria Family Rubiaceae

Description: Small trees, shrubs or climbers, rarely herbs.

Leaves opposite, domatia sometimes present on lower surface; stipules interpetiolar, united into a tubular cap with 2 apical points, caducous.

Inflorescence of terminal cymes or heads; flowers bisexual. Calyx 4–6-lobed. Corolla tube short, 4–6-lobed, valvate. Stamens inserted in tube; anthers included or exserted. Ovary 2-locular, ovules one per loculus. Style exserted; stigma 2-lobed.

Fruit a drupe with 2 hemispherical pyrenes.


Distribution and occurrence: World: 700 species, pantropical. Australia: 10 or 11 species (c. 2 species endemic), Qld, N.S.W., N.T.

Text by S. McCune
Taxon concept:

 Key to the species 
1Small tree to 8 m high; fruit 18–20 mm long, black, fleshy; Lord Howe IslandPsychotria carronis
Small tree or shrub to 5 m high; fruit less than 10 mm long, creamy-white or yellowish; mainland NSW2
2Leaves densely pubescent with white or rusty hairs; lateral veins prominent, domatia often present; flowers sessilePsychotria loniceroides
Leaves mostly glabrous, if hairy on lower surface then inflorescence in terminal cymes with flowers pedicillate (except central one); lateral veins obscure; domatia absent
                       Back to 1
3
3Leaves mostly narrow-elliptic to elliptic, sometimes ovate or obovate, glandular punctate; apex acuminate to attenuate; flowers 2 or 3 together ± sessile in terminal or sometimes axillary heads on peduncles to 2 cm longPsychotria simmondsiana
Leaves oblanceolate to obovate or oblong, not glandular punctate; apex shortly acuminate; often ± obtuse, sometimes acute; flowers in terminal cymes, often 3 flowers together, pedicellate except central one
                       Back to 2
Psychotria daphnoides

  Privacy | Copyright | Disclaimer | About PlantNET | Cite PlantNET