Rubiaceae

=Family description=
 * Shrubs, herbs or trees, occasionally climbing or epiphytic**.
 * Leaves** simple, opposite or sometimes whorled; margin entire; inter or intrapetiolar stipules usually present (except //Rubia// or //Galium//).
 * Inflorescences** very variable, including a.o. panicles, dichasial cymes, spikes, heads.
 * Flowers** with sepals 4-5, basally connate, usually persistent in fruit. Corolla 4-5(-10)-lobed, with long to sometimes short tube. Disc mostly present, intrastaminal. Stamens 4-5(-10), attached to the corolla tube. Ovary inferior (rarely half-inferior or superior), (1-)2-(-many)locular, style 1, stigma 1, entire or 2-lobed, rarely styles and stigmas 2 (or more).
 * Fruit** a drupe, berry, or capsule.

=**General info**=
 * Distribution** About 640 genera with c. 10700 species, widespread in (sub)tropical and temperate regions of the world. There are 3 subfamilies: Rubioideae, Cinchonoideae and Guetterdoideae.
 * Ecology** Almost all habitat types of the world. In tropical forests usually understorey shrubs or trees, but some species grow into canopy trees. Common in closed and open forests, seasonal and everwet regions.
 * Uses** Timber (//Nauclea// spp., //Anthocephallus// spp.); Ornamentals (//Gardenia// spp., //Ixora// spp., //Mussaenda// spp.); Coffee (//Coffea// spp.); Quinine (//Cinchona// spp.); Dyes and tans (//Morinda// spp., //Uncaria// spp.).
 * Similar to** The Rubiaceae may be confused with Loganiaceae but can be distinguished by the presence of stipules and superior ovary.

=Treated genera=
 * Anthocephalus
 * Canthium
 * Gardenia
 * Ixora
 * Lasianthus

Rubiaceae.pdf

Anthocephallus chinensis

Canthium glabrum

Gardenia tubifera

Ixora pyrantha

Lasianthus constrictus

Morinda citrifolia