Homalium sect. Antinisa Warb.

Applequist, Wendy L., 2016, A reconsideration of the infrageneric classification of Homalium Jacq. (Salicaceae), Candollea 71 (2), pp. 231-256 : 251

2. Homalium sect. Antinisa Warb.

in Engler & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. III(6a): 35. 1893.

÷ Nisa Noronha ex Thouars [unranked] Antinisa Tul. in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. ser. 4, 8: 73. 1857. ÷ Homalium [unranked as §] Antinisa (Tul.) Baill. in Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 576. 1886.

Typus: Homalium involucratum (DC.) O. Hoffm. (÷ Nisa involucrata DC. ).

Stipules axillary, free. Inflorescences spicate with flowers mostly in few-flowered clusters; bracts very large, reniform and usually completely concealing flowers, persistent; bracteoles 2 per flower, broad, ciliolate, persistent. Flowers sessile; perianth 5-8-merous. Sepals lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, modestly accrescent; calyx tube broad-based funnelform, densely sericeous; sepal glands irregularly rounded, unusually prominent. Petals lanceolate, becoming longer than sepals after anthesis, erect or nearly so, more accrescent than sepals and sometimes curving over fruit; sepals and petals ciliolate in conjunction with surface pubescence. Stamens 1 per petal, inserted between glands; anthers basifixed, the locules very small, attached by a deep bulbous connective (hence anther is somewhat rounded-deltoid in shape viewed from above) diverging at a relatively narrow angle, with slits of dehiscence lateral. Upper surface of ovary conical (sometimes shallowly) in flower, in fruit conical; styles 3-6, free to near base. Locule of fruit narrowly ellipsoid, densely pubescent in upper portion; seeds 1-4 per fruit, ellipsoid, largely filling the locule.

Distribution. – Madagascar.

Species included. – Homalium involucratum .

Notes. – The description of Homalium sect. Antinisa includes fruit morphology not seen in this study but mentioned in literature ( Sleumer, 1973).