Rubiaceae (gardenia, coffee and quinine family)

Family: Rubiaceae (gardenia, coffee and quinine family)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Euasterid I > Order: Gentianales

A large family of 630 genera and about 10200 species found worldwide but particularly in tropical and warm regions. Eighty genera and 349 species are native to southern Africa, an additional two genera and six species are naturalised, and an additional 18 genera and 43 species that are cultivated in the region.

Genera native to southern Africa

List from Retief & Leistner (2000), Plants of Southern Africa - an Online Checklist (SANBI), Flora of Zimbabwe and Flora of Mozambique.

Afrocanthium Three species are native to southern Africa.
Agathisanthemum About six species, native to tropical Africa and the Comoro Islands, with three species native to southern Africa.
Aidia Thirteen species, distributed through the Old World tropics as well as Australia. One species, Aidia micrantha, is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Alberta Five species, four in Madagascar and one, Alberta magna (Natal flame bush, Breekhout), native to southern Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape).
Amphiasma Six species, native to tropical and southwestern Africa, with three species native to southern Africa.
Ancylanthos Five species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Ancylanthos rubiginosus, native to southern Africa (see Flora of Zimbabwe).
Anthospermum A total of 40 species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with 26 species native to southern Africa.
Breonadia One species, Breonadia salicina (Matumi, Rhodesian redwood), native to tropical Africa and Madagascar; an important timber tree. See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Burchellia One species, Burchellia bubalina (Wild pomegranate), endemic to southern Africa.
Burttdavya One species: Burttdavya nyasica, native to Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. See Flora of Mozambique.
Canthium About 52 species, found in tropical areas of the Old World, with 13 species native to southern Africa.
Carpacoce Seven species, endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape.
Carphalea A total of 14 species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with one species, Carphalea pubescens, native to southern Africa (Namibia and Botswana). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Catunaregam About 10-15 species, occurring in tropical Africa, Madagascar and Asia, with three species native to southern Africa.
Cephalanthus About six species, native to tropical regions and North America, with one species, Cephalanthus natalensis (Strawberry bush) (see Flora of Zimbabwe), native to southern Africa and a further species, Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button bush) (native from eastern Canada to Cuba) that is cultivated in the region.
Chassalia Forty-two species, native to the Old World tropics, mainly Madagascar. One species, Chassalia parvifolia, is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique).
Chazaliella About 25 species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Chazaliella abrupta (False bird-berry), native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Coddia One species, Coddia rudis, endemic to southern Africa.
Coffea A total of 40 species, occurring in the Old World tropics, with six species native to southern Africa and a further four species that are cultivated in southern Africa. Coffee is produced mainly from Coffea arabica (Arabian coffee, Arabica coffee) although other species are also used, to a much lesser extent.
Conostomium A total of nine species, native to the eastern regions of Africa, with three species native to southern Africa.
Coptosperma About 50 species, native to Africa and Madagascar, with six species native to southern Africa.
Craterispermum Sixteen species, native to tropical Africa, Madagascar and the Seychelles, with one species, Craterispermum schweinfurthii, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Cremaspora Three or four species, native to tropical Africa and the Comores, with one species, Cremaspora triflora, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Crossopteryx One species, Crossopteryx febrifuga (Common crown-berry, Crystal bark), native to tropical Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa (Limpopo Province). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Didymosalpinx Four species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Didymosalpinx norae, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Diodia About 30-50 species, native mainly to North America, but also found in Africa. One species, Diodia sarmentosa, is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique; see Flora of Zimbabwe) and Diodia dasycephala has become naturalised as a roadside weed in the Eastern Cape.
Eriosemopsis The sole species, Eriosemopsis subanisophylla, is endemic to southern Africa (southern KwaZulu-Natal and northern Eastern Cape).
Fadogia About 45 species, found in tropical Africa, with six species native to southern Africa.
Feretia Two species, native to tropical Africa, with one, Feretia aeruginescens, extending into southern Africa (Namibia, Zimbabwe). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Gaillonia Total of 17 species, native to Africa and Asia, with one species, Gaillonia crocyllis, endemic to southern Namibia and Northern Cape.
Galium About 400 species, found worldwide, with 16 species native to southern Africa.
Galopina Four species with a distribution extending from southern Malawi southwards, with all four native to the southeastern regions of southern Africa.
Gardenia About 60 species, native to tropical and warm regions of the Old World, with nine species native to southern Africa and a further species that is cultivated in the region.
Geophila About 20 species, found in the tropics, with two species native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique).
Guettarda About 60 species, native mainly to New Caledonia and tropical America, but with one species, Guettarda speciosa, native to southern Africa, found on vegetated dunes of northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.
Heinsenia One species: Heinsenia diervilleoides, native to tropical Africa, including Zimbabwe and Mozambique. See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Heinsia Five species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Heinsia crinita, native to southern Africa (Limpopo Province in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique). See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Hymenodictyon Twenty species, found in the Old World, with two species native to southern Africa and a further species that is cultivated in the region.
Hyperacanthus Two species, native to tropical Africa with both of them having distributions extending into southern Africa.
Ixora About 300 species, native to the tropics, with one species, Ixora narcissodora, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique). An additional six species are cultivated in the region.
Keetia About 40 species, occurring in tropical Africa, with two species native to southern Africa.
Kohautia About 60 species, native to the Old World tropics, with 16 species native to southern Africa.
Kraussia Three species, native to tropical Africa, with the distribution of one of them, Kraussia floribunda (Rhino coffee), extending into southern Africa.
Lagynias Four species, native to tropical Africa, with three of them native to southern Africa.
Lasianthus About 170 species, native to tropical Africa, and from Indomalesia to Australia. One species, Lasianthus kilimandscharicus, is native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique) - see Flora of Zimbabwe.
Leptactina A total of 25 species, occurring in tropical Africa, with three species native to southern Africa.
Mitriostigma Five species, native to tropical Africa, with the distribution of one species, Mitriostigma axillare (Dwarf loquat), extending into southern Africa.
Multidentia Eleven species, all native to tropical Africa, with two species extending into southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Mussaenda About 100 species, native to the Old World tropics, with one species, Mussaenda arcuata, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique). An additional seven species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Nenax Nine species, endemic to southern Africa.
Oldenlandia About 300 species, tropical in distribution, particularly Africa, with 16 species native to southern Africa.
Otiophora Twenty species, occurring in tropical Africa and Madagascar, with five species native to southern Africa.
Otomeria Eight species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with one species, Otomeria elatior, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Oxyanthus About 40 species, with five species native to southern Africa.
Pachystigma The 10 species are found in the warmer regions of Africa, with all of them occurring in southern Africa.
Paederia The 20 species are found in tropical regions, with one, Paederia bojeriana, native to East Africa and southern Africa, including South Africa (Limpopo), Zimbabwe and Mozambique - see Flora of Zimbabwe.
Paraknoxia One species: Paraknoxia parviflora, recorded from Zimbabwe.
Pauridiantha About 25 species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Pauridiantha symplocoides, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique) - see Flora of Zimbabwe.
Pavetta About 400 species, found in the Old World tropics, with 35 species native to southern Africa.
Pentanisia Fifteen species, native to tropical Africa, with four species native to southern Africa.
Pentas About 34 species, native to Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar, with five species native to southern Africa and a further three species that are cultivated in the region.
Pentodon Two species, with a wide distribution in warm and tropical America, Africa, Arabian Peninsula and Seychelles. One species, Pentodon pentandrus, is native to southern Africa (see Flora of Zimbabwe, where it is split into var. pentandrus and var. minor).
Phylohydrax Two species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with one of them, Phylohydrax carnosa, native to southern Africa.
Polysphaeria About 20 species, native to tropical Africa, Madagascar and the Comores with one species, Polysphaeria lanceolata, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe) - see Flora of Zimbabwe.
Psychotria About 1400 species, occurring in the tropics, with eight species native to southern Africa and a further species cultivated in the region.
Psydrax About 100 species, native to the Old World tropics, with nine species native to southern Africa.
Pygmaeothamnus Four species, native to tropical Africa, with two species native to southern Africa.
Pyrostria About 45 species, native to Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius, with two species native to southern Africa.
Rothmannia About 40 species, native to tropical Africa, Asia and the Seychelles, with five species native to southern Africa.
Rubia About 60 species, native to Africa, temperate Asia and America, with three species native to southern Africa.
Rutidea About 22 species, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with two species native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe and Mozambique).
Rytigynia About 70 species, native to tropical Africa, with five species native to southern Africa.
Sericanthe Seventeen species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Sericanthe andongensis, native to southern Africa, where it occurs in South Africa (Limpopo Province), Zimbabwe and Mozambique. See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Spermacoce About 100 species worldwide, with 15 species native to southern Africa.
Tapiphyllum About 20 species, native to tropical Africa, with one species, Tapiphyllum velutinum, native to southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Mozambique) - see Flora of Zimbabwe.
Tarenna About 180 species, native to the Old World tropics, with four species native to southern Africa.
Triainolepis About two species, native to tropical east Africa, Madagascar, the Comores and Aldabra, with one species, Triainolepis sancta, native to southern Africa (Mozambique).
Tricalysia About 100 species, native to tropical regions of the Old World, with 17 species native to southern Africa.
Vangueria A total of 27 species, found in tropical Africa and Madagascar, with 10 species native to southern Africa.
Vangueriopsis The 18 species are native to tropical Africa, with one species, Vangueriopsis lanciflora, native to southern Africa (Namibia, Zimbabwe) - see Flora of Zimbabwe.

Genera naturalised in southern Africa

List from Retief & Leistner (2000) and Plants of Southern Africa - an Online Checklist (SANBI).

Richardia

Total of 15 species, native to tropical America, with four naturalised in the eastern parts of southern Africa.

Sherardia

The only species, Sherardia arvensis, is native to Europe, Mediterranean and West Asia, and has become naturalised in southern Africa. See Flora of Zimbabwe.

Other genera, cultivated in southern Africa

List from Glen (2002). The species name is provided in genera that have only one species represented in southern Africa.

Asperula tinctoria (Dyer's woodruff) Native to the Mediterranean.
Bouvardia ternifolia Native to southern USA and Mexico.
Cinchona (Peruvian bark, Quinine trees) There are about 40 species, all native to Central and South America. At least one, unidentified, species has been cultivated in southern Africa. The genus is best known as the source of quinine, which is derived from the bark of these trees. Quinine has, and still is, used in the treatment of malaria.
Coprosma About 90 species, native to east Malesia, Australia and the Pacific. Four species are cultivated in southern Africa.
Crucianella angustifolia Native from Portugal to Turkey.
Hamelia patens Native from Florida to Brazil.
Hoffmannia refulgens Native to Mexico.
Luculia gratissima Native to India.
Manettia luteo-rubra Native from Brazil to Uruguay.
Morinda citrifolia (Indian mulberry) Native from tropical Asia to Australia.
Myrmecodia beccarii Native to northeastern Australia.
Nauclea orientalis (Kauluang) Native from Burma to northern Australia.
Palicourea gardenioides Native to Mexico.
Phuopsis stylosa
Posoqueria latifolia (Brazilian oak) Native to tropical America.
Rondeletia Two species cultivated: Rondeletia amoena (native to Mexico) and Rondeletia odorata (native to Cuba).
Serissa japonica (Niklande) Native from Japan to Indonesia.

Publications

Bridson, D.M. 1998. Rubiaceae. Flora Zambesiaca 5,2: 211-377.
Bridson, D.M. & Verdcourt, B. 1988. Flora of Tropical East Africa. Rubiaceae (part 2): 415-747.
Glen, H.F. 2002. Cultivated Plants of Southern Africa. Jacana, Johannesburg.
Launert, E. 1966. Rubiaceae. Prodromus einer Flora von Südwestafrika 115: 1-27.
Retief, E. & Leistner, O.A. 2000. Rubiaceae. In: Seed Plants of Southern Africa (ed. O.A. Leistner). Strelitzia 10: 476-495. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Verdcourt, B. 1976. Flora of Tropical East Africa. Rubiaceae (part 1): 1-414.
Verdcourt, B. 1989. Rubiaceae. Flora Zambesiaca 5,1: 1-210.
Verdcourt, B. & Bridson, D.M. 1991. Flora of Tropical East Africa. Rubiaceae (part 3): 1-956.