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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Phyllanthus
SUMMARY
Trees, shrubs or herbs, sometimes succulent; monoecious or rarely dioecious. Exudate absent*. Unarmed*. Stems sometimes flattened, green, leaf-like (phylloclades). Stems and branches often of 2–3 types: vertical (‘orthotropic’) shoots either long, of unlimited growth, or very short, condensed, of very limited growth, horizontal/lateral (‘plagiotropic’) shoots of limited growth. Glabrous throughout or indumentum present, hairs simple or rarely dendritic. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, rarely spine-like, not leaf–like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, sometimes deciduous, often of 2 types: small scale-like leaves on orthotropic shoots, foliage-leaves usually only on plagiotropic shoots; foliage-leaves alternate or fasciculate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical or asymmetrical, attachment to petiole rarely peltate, margin entire, blade not pellucid–punctate, in neotropical taxa sometimes with glands on lower surface; venation pinnate or when leaf attachment peltate with 3 or more veins radiating from leaf base; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent*. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence without axis, axillary, the males usually 2–more in clusters in the lower axils, females solitary in the upper axils, rarely the clusters bisexual; bracts not leaf-like*, green; Male flowers: pedicels present, often very slender, not articulated*; sepals 4–6, imbricate, free; petals 0; disc outside the staminal whorl (extrastaminal) or inside the staminal whorl (intrastaminal), annular or comprised of 4–6 free glands; stamens 2–6 (15), free or some or all partially to completely fused; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae in bud introrse or extrorse; pistillode absent. Female flowers: pedicels present, not articulated*; sepals 4–6, imbricate, free or partially fused; petals 0; disc surrounding the ovary, annular (entire, lobed or toothed), rarely of distinct glands, rarely disc 0; ovary locules 3 or more, ovules per locule 2; styles usually 3, rarely more, free, or partially to completely fused (stigmas free), entire or shortly 2-lobed or -branched, styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes present or rarely 0. Fruit dehiscent or more or less indehiscent, smooth or warty, greenish to brown or red; seed without appendage, covering or membraneous layer*, not fleshy; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
About 750–800 spp.