English: Strasburgeria
German: Strasburgerie
Clades:
Strasburgeriaceae,
Crossosomatales,
Thymelaeales, Malividae,
Malvanae, Angioseprmae,
Plants.
Region: New Caledonia.
Habitat: montane rainforests, thriving on ultramafic substrates.
Content: icosaploid genome with 500 chromosomes (20n=500).
Use: for evolutionary botany, considered an ancient relict species preserving primitive angiosperm traits.
BotanyType: tree; evergreen.
Root: adapted to heavy-metal-rich, acidic ultramafic soils.
Stem: lacks growth rings; vessel elements feature scalariform perforation plates.
Leaves: simple; alternate; leathery; inverted egg-shaped (obovate); serrated margins; rare interpetiolar stipules.
Inflorescence: single, solitary flowers; in the leaf axils.
Flowers: large; pendulous; radially symmetrical, hermaphroditic; cream-to-yellowish with brown or red veins; 8–10 persistent sepals; 5–6 petals; 10 stamens; distinct circular nectar gland with radiating spikes.
Pollination: by insect-pollinated.
Fruit: large,; woody; green; globose structure;is indehiscent; a persistent style; apple-like scent.
Seed: flattened; unwinged; lacking an aril.