Bontia daphnoides L.

• Authority

  Britton, Nathaniel L. Flora Borinqueña.

• Family

  Myoporaceae

• Scientific Name

  Bontia daphnoides L.

• Description

  
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  Species Description - This is a curious, interesting, monotypic, small tree or shrub, naturally inhabiting coastal regions of tropical America and the only American species of the Myoporum Family, which consists, otherwise of some 80 or more species grouped into 4 genera, mostly Australasian in distribution. Its foliage is characteristically dense, the very numerous small narrow leaves close together on the branches, almost concealing the small, irregular, axillary flowers. The existence of only one species of the family in America provides reason for speculation as to whether it has been evolved independently from its relatives, or if some remote, common ancestor of wide geographic distribution has been the source of origin of the whole family. The generic name Bontia of Linnaeus, commemorates Peter Bontius, a Dutch naturalist and traveller of the seventeenth century. The genus consists of only one species. It is a small tree, copiously branched, reaching maximum height of about 9 meters, usually lower, and sometimes shrubby, nearly or quite smooth throughout, the twigs slender. The alternate, oblong, or oblong-lanceolate, slightly fleshy leaves are from 5 to 10 centimeters long, pointed, without teeth, the midvein rather prominent, the lateral veins obscure, their slender stalks 1 or 2 centimeters long. The small yellowish and purplish, very irregular flowers are solitary, or in small stalked clusters in the leaf-axils; the calyx has 5, ovate tipped, segments about 5 millimeters long; the corolla is about 2 centimeters long, with, a straight tube, and a deeply 2-lipped limb, the upper lip 2-cleft, the lower one recurved, 3-lobed, its middle lobe densely bearded; the 4 stamens are in 2 pairs; the 2-celled ovary has 4 ovules in each cavity, and the style is long and slender, the small stigma terminal. The fruit is a yellow, ovoid pointed drupe, 10 to 15 millimeters long.

• Discussion

  White Alling Myoporum Family Bontia daphnoides Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 638. 1753.