Polyalthia

Polyalthia
Polyalthia suberosa
P. suberosa flower (NB: previously placed in genus Phaeanthus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Tribe: Miliuseae
Genus: Polyalthia
Blume
Synonyms
  • Haplostichanthus F.Muell.
  • Monostichanthus F.Muell.
  • Papualthia Diels
  • Sphaerothalamus Hook.f.
  • Tabraca Noronha

Polyalthia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Annonaceae. There are approximately 90 species distributed from Africa to Asia and the Pacific.[1]

These are trees and shrubs. The flower has six petals in two whorls, the inner petals curving inward over the centre.[1]

The name Polyalthia is derived from a combination of Greek words meaning 'many cures' with reference to the medicinal properties of certain species.[2]

  1. ^ a b Polyalthia. Flora of China.
  2. ^ McCann, Charles (1959). 100 Beautiful Trees of India: A Descriptive and Pictorial Handbook. D.B. Taraporevala Sons & Co. Private Ltd. p. 32.