LEEACEAE
NB Leeaceae is a synonym of Vitaceae
Morphological description
Usually woody.
Leaves
Leaves distichous, dentate, base of petiole expanded to form clasping stipular structures. Usually imparipinnate, rachis noded; underside of leaf with pearl glands
Inflorescence
Inflorescence leaf-opposed.
Flowers
Flower bisexual, actinomorphic, 4- or 5-merous, choripetalous, staminodial tube joined to corolla; ovary 4-8-locular, 1 ovule per cell.
Fruit
Fruit a berry.
Seed
Seed with ruminate endosperm.
Different from: Vitaceae: climbers with tendrils, no staminodial tube.
Distribution: The only genus, Leea, is distributed throughout the Paleotropics, from Africa to Fiji; in Malesia 25 species, mostly in the understorey of lowland and lower montane forest.
Notes: Some species used medicinally, a few species planted as ornamentals. Leea is often placed in the Vitaceae.
Literature: C.E. Ridsdale, Fl. Males. I, 7 (1976) 755-782.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): 10, 12, 14, 33, 40, 42, 50, 84, 105.
Illustrations: Fig. 88. Leea magnifolia Merr.: a & b. habit; c. leaf; d. inflorescence and stipules; e. flower; f. idem, in LS; g. embryo.
Image in PhytoImages for Vitaceae