| Molecular evidence shows the Old World genus Ryssopterys (Malpighiaceae) nested within the New World genus Stigmaphyllon; therefore, Ryssopterys is here transferred to Stigmaphyllon as subg. Ryssopterys. The subgenera share most vegetative and fruit characters. Subgenus Stigmaphyllon comprises 92 species characterized by hermaphrodite, bilaterally symmetrical flowers. Subgenus Ryssopterys includes 21 species that appear androdioecious but are probably functionally dioecious; the flowers are either hermaphrodite but likely functionally female, owing to inaperturate pollen, or male with a rudimentary gynoecium. All species have radially symmetrical flowers in which all parts of each floral whorl are equal; they lack calyx glands as well as the stylar... |
