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Tetraena

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tetraena is a possible genus of flowering plants in the family Zygophyllaceae, subfamily Zygophylloideae. As of January 2025, Plants of the World Online and the World Flora Online accepted it as a synonym of Zygophyllum.[1][2]

Description

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Species formerly placed in Tetraena are shrubby or herbaceous, the tallest being around 1.5 m (4.9 ft). The leaves are opposite, or sometimes borne on short shoots and then appearing to be alternate. They may or may not have stalks (petioles). The flower usually has five petals and five sepals, rarely four, and ten stamens. The flower is usually tube-like in appearance with white to pale orange petals. The ovary has three to five chambers (locules). The ripe fruit is variable in shape, splitting into parts before releasing the seeds.[3]

Taxonomy

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The genus Tetraena was erected by Karl Maximovich in 1889 for the species Tetraena mongolica (syn. Zygophyllum mongolicum). Until 2003, this was the only species recognized in the genus. Molecular phylogenetic studies suggested that the genus Zygophyllum was not monophyletic, since Tetraena and some other genera were nested within it. To create monophyletic genera, Björn-Axel Beier and Mats Thulin transferred about 40 species of Zygophyllum to Tetraena, creating a much expanded genus.[3] Doubt was later cast on whether this was the right approach to achieving a monophyletic Zygophyllum.[4] As of January 2025, Plants of the World Online and the World Flora Online placed Tetraena within Zygophyllum,[1][2] although Tetraena was accepted by other sources.[5]

Former species

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Species that have been placed in Tetraena and were placed in Zygophyllum by Plants of the World Online as of February 2025, include:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Tetraena Maxim.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2025-02-03
  2. ^ a b "Tetraena Maxim". World Flora Online. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  3. ^ a b Beier, B.-A.; Chase, M. W. & Thulin, M. (2003), "Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of subfamily Zygophylloideae (Zygophyllaceae) based on molecular and morphological data", Plant Systematics and Evolution, 240 (1–4): 11–39, doi:10.1007/s00606-003-0007-0, S2CID 9299742
  4. ^ Bellstedt, D.U.; van Zyl, L.; Marais, E.M.; Bytebier, B.; de Villiers, C.A.; Makwarela, A.M. & Dreyer, L.L. (2008), "Phylogenetic relationships, character evolution and biogeography of southern African members of Zygophyllum (Zygophyllaceae) based on three plastid regions", Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 47 (3): 932–949, doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.02.019
  5. ^ "Tetraena Maxim". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
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