Gynochtodes (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Gynochtodes Blume
- Protologue: Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind.: 993 (1827).
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Chromosome number: x= unknown
Origin and geographic distribution
Gynochtodes is a small genus comprising approximately 10 species. It occurs in Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the Philippines, eastwards to Micronesia and Fiji, and southwards to northern Australia. Peninsular Malaysia and the Philippines are richest in species, with about 3 and 4 species, respectively.
Uses
Only little information exists on the uses of Gynochtodes : in Peninsular Malaysia, a decoction of leaves and roots has been used internally to treat stomach-ache, whereas leaves have been applied as a poultice to treat headache.
Botany
Slender lianas, sometimes shrubs, glabrous, with stem up to 0.5 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, simple and entire, more or less leathery, usually with domatia below, shortly petiolate; stipules interpetiolar, becoming corky. Inflorescence an axillary umbelliform to glomeruliform cyme; bracts concealing the peduncle and becoming corky. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, small, 4-5-merous; calyx with short tube and annular, toothed limb; corolla rather thick, with short tube and valvate lobes longer than tube, pilose in throat; stamens inserted in throat of corolla, exserted; ovary inferior, 4-celled, style bifid or simple. Fruit a globose, fleshy drupe with 2-4 pyrenes; pyrenes dorsally compressed. Seeds compressed.
Although the genus was originally published as Gynochtodes , the orthographic variant Gynochthodes is often used in literature. It is related to Caelospermum , Morinda and Pogonolobus , and can be distinguished from these genera by the axillary, usually compound cymes, drupes with 2-4 pyrenes, the morphology of stipules and bracts, and pollen morphology.
Ecology
Gynochtodes occurs as lianas in forest at low altitudes, sometimes up to 700 m. Some species can also be found in open country, e.g. as a climber in shrub vegetation and hedges. G. sublanceolata has been recorded as a common species in species-poor anthropogenic heath forest on extremely acidic soils (pH 3.3-3.9) in Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia.
Genetic resources
The Gynochtodes species treated here do not seem to be immediately endangered as they are fairly widely distributed. However, most of them seem confined to lowland forest and as this habitat is under increasing pressure the species with narrow areas of distribution may become liable to extinction, e.g. species endemic to the Philippines.
Prospects
Very little is known about the botany, phytochemistry or properties of Gynochtodes . Research is needed on the taxonomy as well as chemical contents and pharmacology before the significance as a medicinal plant can be determined for the various species.
Literature
121.
Selection of species
Authors
R.H.M.J. Lemmens
