Tetracarpaea

Tetracarpaea tasmannica is the only species in the family of Tetracarpaeaceae. This type thrives endemic to Tasmania.

Description

Tetracarpaea tasmannica is a mesophytischer, evergreen, upright but low, bushy shrub. The stem is slender and made ​​of solid wood, it is rich branched ( Leptocaulie ). The nodes are unilakunär with a leaf-trace strand. The shoot axis missing an inner phloem.

The standing against constantly stalked leaves have a leathery surface. The leaf blade has a spring-like veins and the leaf margin is serrated.

The upright, paniculate inflorescences arise from the axils of the bracts. The hermaphrodite, small flowers are vierzahlig. They have a significantly different from the chalice crown. The sepals are not fused, and the white petals are free. Each flower has eight stamens and four carpels. The filaments are not attached. Each carpel contains between 15 and 100 ovules.

After flowering, a follicle me very small winged seeds is formed.

Dissemination

Tetracarpaea tasmannica is endemic, the species is unique and disseminated solely on Tasmania. There, the species grows in moderately moist habitats.

System

The Tetracarpaceae are closely related to the milfoil plants ( Haloragaceae ), the Penthoraceae, Aphanopetalaceae and the Crassula family ( Crassulaceae ). The ratios are shown in the following cladogram:

Crassulaceae

Aphanopetalaceae

Tetracarpaeaceae

Penthoraceae

Haloragaceae