''Genipa'' 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 ...

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

s in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Rubiaceae The Rubiaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. It consists of terrestrial trees, shrubs, lianas, or herbs that are recognizable by simple, opposite leaves with interpetiolar stipules ...

. This genus is native to the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

tropical forest Tropical forests (a.k.a. jungle) are forested landscapes in tropical regions: ''i.e.'' land areas approximately bounded by the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, but possibly affected by other factors such as prevailing winds. Some tropical fores ...

Description

Tall

s, without any spines, prickles or thorns; with large opposite leaves of almost leathery texture, smooth or hairy. Presence of 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, triangle-shaped. The large flowers are arranged in terminal

cymes An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed on ...

; the calyx is tubular, while the corolla can be trumpet-shaped or short-cylindrical, with 5-6 lobes. The

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

s are located at the top of the corolla. The fruit is an almost globose or ovoid berry, smooth, fleshy, with a thick rind. The seeds are large and flat.

Taxonomy

The species from Madagascar, originally described by

Drake Drake may refer to: Animals * A male duck People and fictional characters * Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family name * Drake (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * ...

, do not belong to the Rubiaceae

tribe The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...

Gardenieae Gardenieae is a tribe of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae and contains about 586 species in 53 genera. Genera Currently accepted names * ''Adenorandia'' Vermoesen (1 sp) * '' Agouticarpa'' C.H.Press. (7 sp) * ''Aidia'' Lour. (55 sp) ...

like the New World ''Genipa'' species, but in the tribe

Octotropideae Octotropideae is a Tribe (biology), tribe of flowering plants in the Family (biology), family Rubiaceae and contains about 103 species in 18 genus, genera. Its representatives are found in the paleotropics. Genera Currently accepted names * ' ...

. Those species were transferred to the genus '' Hyperacanthus''. ''Genipa spruceana'' is considered doubtfully distinct from ''Genipa americana''. Species currently recognized in ''Genipa'' are: * ''

Genipa americana ''Genipa americana'' () is a species of trees in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the tropical forests of North and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Description ''Genipa americana'' trees are up to 30 m tall and up to 60 cm ...

'' L. * ''

Genipa infundibuliformis ''Genipa'' is a genus of trees in the family Rubiaceae. This genus is native to the American tropical forests. Description Tall trees, without any spines, prickles or thorns; with large opposite leaves of almost leathery texture, smooth or hai ...

'' Zappi & J.Semir * ''

Genipa spruceana ''Genipa'' is a genus of trees in the family (biology), family Rubiaceae. This genus is native to the Americas, American tropical forests. Description Tall trees, without any spines, prickles or thorns; with large Phyllotaxis#Leaf arrangement, ...

'' Steyerm.

Distribution and habitat

The genus is native to the

s of

America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, including

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2345542 Rubiaceae genera Gardenieae