Trithecanthera

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Trithecanthera

Content

• Description
• Distribution
• Morphology
• Taxonomy

Description

Aerial stem-parasitic shrubs, mostly glabrous, robust, with epicortical runners bear-ing secondary haustoria. Leaves alternate, opposite or verticillate. Inflorescence a robust many- flowered raceme or spike; axis with a non-flowerbearing part at the base or apex; bract single under each flower, simple. Fruit ellipsoid to obovoid.

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present)

Endemic to Malesia; 5 species in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Morphology

Remarkable are the long robust corollas, and in some species the coloured non-flowerbearing part of the inflorescence axis, which may be either distal or proximal to the flowers, and may provide a perch for pollinators (H. Nagamasu, personal communication).

Taxonomy

The racemose inflorescences and gamopetalous corollas indicate relationship to Dendrophthoe. The genus is probably a local differentiate with strong specialization for bird pollination.