Ternstroemia is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Pentaphylacaceae, distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The genus, first described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782, consists of 161 species of shrubs and trees generally known as ternstroemias.[1][3] Members of the genus are often grown as ornamental plants or are used medicinally.[4][5]
| Ternstroemia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leaves of Ternstroemia gymnanthera. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Pentaphylacaceae |
| Tribe: | Ternstroemieae |
| Genus: | Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f.[1] |
| Type species | |
| Ternstroemia meridionalis Mutis ex L.f.[2] | |
| Species | |
|
161 - see List of Ternstroemia species | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
editMembers of Ternstroemia grow as evergreen shrubs or trees with alternate leaves, whose margins are entire or uncommonly serrate. The flowers are axillary and usually solitary, but may appear in clusters on leafless branches. Species of the genus are androdioecious, where bisexual and male flowers appear on separate individuals. The fruits are fleshy, berry-like capsules that either remain closed or dehisce, revealing the dangling seeds within; the seeds are kidney‑shaped, slightly compressed, and covered by a fleshy red coating over a thick endosperm.[6][7][8]
Taxonomy
editTernstroemia was first described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782, having been proposed by José Celestino Mutis earlier.[1] The genus, along with related genera such as Eurya and Cleyera, were previously classified within a subfamily of Theaceae; in a subsequent revision, the genus, together with its relatives, were transferred to the now defunct Ternstroemiaceae family. In 2016, the APG IV system placed the group in the formerly monotypic Pentaphylacaceae.[6]
The genus name is in honor of Christopher Tärnström, a clergyman, botanist, and student of Linnaeus.[9]
Selected species
edit- Ternstroemia brasiliensis Cambess.
- Ternstroemia carnosa Cambess.
- Ternstroemia cherryi (F.M.Bailey) Merr. ex J.F.Bailey & C.T White
- Ternstroemia dentata (Aubl.) Sw.
- Ternstroemia elliptica Sw.
- Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek
- Ternstroemia gymnanthera (Wight & Arn.) Bedd.
- Ternstroemia heptasepala Krug & Urb.
- Ternstroemia kwangtungensis Merr.
- Ternstroemia lineata DC.
- Ternstroemia luquillensis Krug & Urb.
- Ternstroemia luteoflora L.K.Ling
- Ternstroemia meridionalis Mutis ex L.f.
- Ternstroemia microphylla Merr.
- Ternstroemia peduncularis DC.
- Ternstroemia robinsonii Merr.
- Ternstroemia stahlii Krug & Urb.
- Ternstroemia subsessilis (Britton) Kobuski
- Ternstroemia sylvatica Schltdl. & Cham.
- Ternstroemia tepezapote Schltdl. & Cham.
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f." Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f." USDA Plants Database. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia gymnanthera 'Carolina Sunset'". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia tepezapote Schltdl. & Cham". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- 1 2 "Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f." Trees and Shrubs Online. International Dendrology Society. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia Mutis ex L.f." Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Ternstroemia brasiliensis Cambess". World Flora Online. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ Quattrocchi, Umberto (1999). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms. Synonyms, and Etymology. Vol. 4. CRC Press. p. 2646. ISBN 978-0-8493-2678-3. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
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