''Cunonia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of shrubs and trees in the family

Cunoniaceae Cunoniaceae is a family of 27 Genus, genera and about 335 species of woody plants in the order Oxalidales, mostly found in the tropical and wet temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. The greatest diversity of genera are in Australia and Ta ...

. The genus has a

disjunct distribution In biology, a taxon with a disjunct distribution is one that has two or more groups that are related but considerably separated from each other geographically. The causes are varied and might demonstrate either the expansion or contraction of a s ...

, with 24 species endemic to

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

in the Pacific, and one species (''

Cunonia capensis ''Cunonia capensis'', the butterspoon tree, butterknife tree, African red alder, red alder or rooiels, is a small tree found in the afromontane forests of southern Africa, and along rivers. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens for its attract ...

'') in

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number of ...

. Leaves are opposite, simple or pinnate with a margin entire to serrate. Interpetiolar

stipule In botany, a stipule is an outgrowth typically borne on both sides (sometimes on just one side) of the base of a leafstalk (the petiole). Stipules are considered part of the anatomy of the leaf of a typical flowering plant, although in many speci ...

s are often conspicuous and generally enclose buds to form a spoon-like shape (hence the common name "butterspoon tree" for ''

''). Flowers are bisexual, white, red (pink to purple), or green, arranged in racemes. The fruit is a capsule opening first around the base then vertically, seeds are winged.

List of species

Southern Africa * ''

'' New Caledonia * '' Cunonia × alticola'' * '' Cunonia aoupiniensis'' * '' Cunonia atrorubens'' * '' Cunonia austrocaledonica'' * '' Cunonia balansae'' * '' Cunonia bopopensis'' * '' Cunonia bullata'' * '' Cunonia cerifera'' * '' Cunonia deplanchei'' * '' Cunonia dickisonii'' * '' Cunonia × koghicola'' * '' Cunonia lenormandii'' * '' Cunonia linearisepala'' * ''

Cunonia macrophylla ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * ''

Cunonia montana ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * '' Cunonia pseudoverticillata'' * '' Cunonia pterophylla'' * '' Cunonia pulchella'' * '' Cunonia purpurea'' * ''

Cunonia rotundifolia ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * ''

Cunonia rupicola ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * ''

Cunonia schinziana ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * ''

Cunonia varijuga ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

'' * ''

Cunonia vieillardii ''Cunonia'' is a genus of shrubs and trees in the family Cunoniaceae. The genus has a disjunct distribution, with 24 species endemic to New Caledonia in the Pacific, and one species (''Cunonia capensis'') in Southern Africa. Leaves are opposite, ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5194371 Cunoniaceae Oxalidales genera