Shrubs or trees, unarmed, monoecious [dioecious]; hairs absent [unbranched]; latex colorless [white]. Leaves persistent [deciduous], alternate, simple; stipules present, persistent; petiole present, glands absent; blade unlobed, margins entire [serrate], laminar glands abaxial, submarginal [absent]; venation pinnate. Inflorescences bisexual (pistillate flowers proximal, staminate distal) [unisexual], terminal or axillary, racemelike thyrses; glands subtending each bract 0 [or 2]. Pedicels present. Staminate flowers: sepals 0[–3]; petals 0; nectary absent; stamens (2–)4(–5)[–100], distinct; pistillode absent. Pistillate flowers: sepals 0[–3]; petals 0; nectary absent; pistil 3-carpellate; styles 3, connate basally, unbranched. Fruits capsules. Seeds subglobose; caruncle present [absent].

Distribution

se United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, tropical and subtropical regions.

Discussion

Species ca. 45 (1 in the flora).

Members of Gymnanthes are found primarily in the New World; some are in Africa and Asia.

Selected References

Webster, G. L. 1983. A botanical Gordian knot: The case of Ateramnus and Gymnanthes (Euphorbiaceae). Taxon 32: 304–305.

Lower Taxa

Gymnanthes lucida