Zygogynum Explained

Zygogynum is a genus of plants in the family Winteraceae with 47 species . They are native to areas from Borneo through New Guinea and Queensland to New Caledonia, with 22 species in New Guinea. Initially, the genus was thought to be endemic to New Caledonia, but in 1985 Willem Vink transferred the related genera Bubbia and Exospermum to Zygogynum, thus extending the range westward. More recently, new species have been identified and described which again extends the range of the genus such that it now includes Borneo.

Description

Plants in this genus are evergreen shrubs or small trees, leaves are alternate, undivided, and hairless; they may have a peppery taste. Inflorescences are terminal and have 1–150 flowers. Petals number from 4 to 30, stamens from 3 to 370, carpels from 1 to 50.

Distribution and habitat

The genus occurs in Borneo, the Maluku Islands, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Norfolk Island, and the Australian state of Queensland. They occupy wet forests at altitudes from sea level to .

Species

, Plants of the World Online recognises the following 47 species: