Ochna[2] is a genus comprising 79 species of evergreen trees, shrubs and shrublets belonging to the flowering plant family Ochnaceae.[1] These species are native to tropical woodlands of Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarenes and Asia.[3][4] Species of this genus are usually called ochnas, bird's-eye bushes or Mickey-mouse plants, a name derived from the shape of the drupelet fruit. The name of this genus comes from the Greek word ὄχνη (ókhnē), used by Theocritus and meaning "wild pear",[5] as the leaves are similar in appearance. Some species, including Ochna integerrima (yellow Mai flower) and O. serrulata (bird's eye plant), are cultivated as decorative plants.

Ochna
Ochna serrulata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Ochnaceae
Subfamily: Ochnoideae
Tribe: Ochneae
Subtribe: Ochninae
Genus: Ochna
L., 1753
Species[1]

79; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Biramella Tiegh. (1903)
  • Campylochnella Tiegh. (1902)
  • Diporidium H.L.Wendl. (1825)
  • Diporochna Tiegh. (1902)
  • Discladium Tiegh. (1902)
  • Heteroporidium Tiegh. (1902)
  • Jabotapita Adans. (1763), nom. superfl.
  • Monoporidium Tiegh. (1902)
  • Ochnella Tiegh. (1902)
  • Pentochna Tiegh. (1907)
  • Philomeda Noronha ex Thouars (1806)
  • Pleodiporochna Tiegh. (1903)
  • Pleopetalum Tiegh. (1903)
  • Polyochnella Tiegh. (1902)
  • Polythecium Tiegh. (1902), nom. illeg.
  • Porochna Tiegh. (1902)
  • Proboscella Tiegh. (1903)

Distribution

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Species of this genus are found in the Old World Tropics, in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, Arabian Peninsula, Indian subcontinent, Indo-China, and southeastern China.[1]

Species

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79 species are accepted.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Ochna L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  2. ^ Linnaeus C (1753) Sp. Pl. 1: 513.
  3. ^ "Genus: Ochna". biodiversity explorer. iziko museums. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  4. ^ Callmander, Martin W.; Phillipson, Peter B. (2012). "Note on the genus Ochna (Ochnaceae) in Madagascar". Candollea. 67 (1): 142–144. doi:10.15553/c2012v671a14. S2CID 86016286.
  5. ^ Bailly, Anatole (1895). Dictionnaire grec-français [Greek-French Dictionary] (in French). Paris: Hachette.
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