Maesa
Parent authorityA.DC.
TaxonMaesa
AuthorityForssk. (1775)
Subdivision ranksSpecies
Subdivision184, see text
Type speciesMaesa lanceolata
Type species authorityForrsk.
Synonyms
  • Baeobotrys J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (1776)
  • Cistula Noronha (1790), nom. nud.
  • Dartus Lour. (1790)
  • Doraena Thunb. (1783)
  • Siburatia Thouars (1806)

Maesa is a genus of flowering plants. It is placed in the family Primulaceae, subfamily Maesoideae, for which it is the sole genus (monotypic).[1] Previously it was placed in Myrsinaceae, or in a family of its own, Maesaceae.[2][3] There are 184 accepted species native to tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and the Pacific,[4] the majority of which occur in Malesia, New Guinea, western Asia, and the Pacific Islands.[3]

These plants are vines, shrubs, and trees up to 12 meters tall.[3]

Selected species

184 species are accepted.[4] They include:

References

  1. ^ Maesa. The Plant List.
  2. ^ Kallersjo, M., Bergqvist, G., & Anderberg, A. A. (2000). Generic realignment in primuloid families of the Ericales s.l.: A phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences from three chloroplast genes and morphology. American Journal of Botany, 1325-1341.
  3. ^ Caris, P., et al. (2000). Floral development of three Maesa species, with special emphasis on the position of the genus within Primulales.[dead link] Annals of Botany, 86(1), 87-97.
  4. ^ Maesa Forssk. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 26 February 2024.