Hernandiaceae
Encyclopedia
Hernandiaceae is the botanical name
for a family
of flowering plants. Such a family has been recognised by most taxonomists.
The APG II system
, of 2003 (unchanged from the APG system
, of 1998), also recognizes this family, and assigns it to the order Laurales
in the clade magnoliids. As circumscribed by APG the family includes those plants that sometimes have been treated as forming the family Gyrocarpaceae. The family is usually described as counting four genera, totalling several dozen species.
s. Self supporting, or climbing. Leaves
alternate; aromatic; simple, or compound; peltate (often, in Hernandia), or not peltate; if compound, palmate. Lamina dissected, or entire; when dissected, palmatifid; palmately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves estipulate. Cork cambium present; initially superficial. Nodes unilacunar. Primary vascular tissue in a cylinder, without separate bundles. Cortical bundles absent. Medullary bundles absent. Internal phloem absent. Secondary thickening developing from a conventional cambial ring. Included phloem
absent. Xylem
with libriform fibres. Vessel
end-walls simple. Vessels without vestured pits. Wood parenchyma
paratracheal. Sieve-tube plastids P-type; type I.
with distinct calyx and corolla. The corolla is not fleshy. Androecial members free of the perianth; free of one another; 1 whorled. Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens, or including staminodes (these in the form of 1–2 nectariferous glands outside the stamens, cf. Lauraceae). Staminodes external to the fertile stamens (3–5); oppositisepalous (alternating with the inner perianth whorl). Anthers dehiscing by longitudinal valves. Anther wall of the ‘dicot’ type. Pollen grains nonaperturate; 2-celled. Gynoecium 1 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. The pistil 1 celled. Gynoecium
monomerous; of one carpel; inferior. Carpel stylate; apically stigmatic; 1 ovuled. Placentation apical. Ovules pendulous; anatropous; bitegmic; crassinucellate. Endosperm formation cellular.
The fruit is non-fleshy and presents the following characteristics: fruiting carpel indehiscent, winged or enclosed in an inflated envelope derived from connate bracteoles, with only 1 seed non-endospermic, 2 cotyledons (fleshy, oily, smooth or ruminate). The embryo is straight.
. Alkaloids present (Efatine, (+)-O,O-dimethyl corytuberine, hernandaline, hernandine, hernanymphine and herveline A). Iridoids not detected. Arthroquinones detected (Illigera); polyacetate derived. Proanthocyanidins absent. Lignan
s present (Deoxypodophyllic acid, (+)-hernangerine, hernolactone, epimagnolin, epieudesmine, epiaschantin). Flavonols
present: kaempferol
and quercetin
. Ellagic acid
absent (Hernandia
). Saponins/sapogenins absent. Aluminium
accumulation not found. Sugars transported as sucrose
(Hernandia
).
. Also used as mild laxative, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, cytostatic, antiviral, externally on boils, ulcers, sores, inflammations. The pericarp of the fruits also relaxes the smooth musculature, produces a cataleptic action, anti-convulsive, in convulsive disorders, vasopressive, reduces intestinal movement, hypotensive, non-cholinergic, dilation of capillary blood vessels (non toxic low doses) respiration is accelerated, uterus-stimulating (large doses) respiration is slowed, uterus- inhibitor, stimulation of the secretion of tears and saliva, might cause emesis and moderate tachycardia
, hypnotic, sedative, narcotic, adrenolytic, psychomimetic, induces hyperglycemia
.
Among the chemical compounds isolated from the family Hernandiaceae, the alkaloid
corytuberine is the oldest known compound. Later on, its derivative O,O-Dimethylcorytuberine was reported from several Hernandia
species, including H. nymphaeifolia. Actinodaphnine and hernandion, were the earliest chemical compounds reported from the family hernandiaceae respectively. .
, Illigera.
Genus Hernandia
Genus Illigera
Genus Hazomalania
Botanical name
A botanical name is a formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and, if it concerns a plant cultigen, the additional cultivar and/or Group epithets must conform to the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants...
for a family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of flowering plants. Such a family has been recognised by most taxonomists.
The APG II system
APG II system
The APG II system of plant classification is the second, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in April 2003 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. It was a revision of the first APG system, published in 1998, and was superseded in 2009...
, of 2003 (unchanged from the APG system
APG system
The APG system of plant classification is the first, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in 1998 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. It was superseded in 2003 by a revision, the APG II system, and then in 2009 by a further...
, of 1998), also recognizes this family, and assigns it to the order Laurales
Laurales
The Laurales are an order of flowering plants. They are magnoliids, related to the Magnoliales.The order includes about 2500-2800 species from 85-90 genera, which comprise seven families of trees and shrubs. Most of the species are tropical and subtropical, though a few genera reach the temperate...
in the clade magnoliids. As circumscribed by APG the family includes those plants that sometimes have been treated as forming the family Gyrocarpaceae. The family is usually described as counting four genera, totalling several dozen species.
Description
Trees, or shrubs, or lianas; bearing essential oilEssential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove...
s. Self supporting, or climbing. Leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
alternate; aromatic; simple, or compound; peltate (often, in Hernandia), or not peltate; if compound, palmate. Lamina dissected, or entire; when dissected, palmatifid; palmately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves estipulate. Cork cambium present; initially superficial. Nodes unilacunar. Primary vascular tissue in a cylinder, without separate bundles. Cortical bundles absent. Medullary bundles absent. Internal phloem absent. Secondary thickening developing from a conventional cambial ring. Included phloem
Phloem
In vascular plants, phloem is the living tissue that carries organic nutrients , in particular, glucose, a sugar, to all parts of the plant where needed. In trees, the phloem is the innermost layer of the bark, hence the name, derived from the Greek word "bark"...
absent. Xylem
Xylem
Xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in vascular plants. . The word xylem is derived from the Classical Greek word ξυλον , meaning "wood"; the best-known xylem tissue is wood, though it is found throughout the plant...
with libriform fibres. Vessel
Vessel element
A vessel element is one of the cell types found in xylem, the water conducting tissue of plants. Vessel elements are typically found in the angiosperms but absent from most gymnosperms such as the conifers....
end-walls simple. Vessels without vestured pits. Wood parenchyma
Parenchyma
Parenchyma is a term used to describe a bulk of a substance. It is used in different ways in animals and in plants.The term is New Latin, f. Greek παρέγχυμα - parenkhuma, "visceral flesh", f. παρεγχεῖν - parenkhein, "to pour in" f. para-, "beside" + en-, "in" + khein, "to pour"...
paratracheal. Sieve-tube plastids P-type; type I.
Flowers and fruit
The plants can be hermaphrodite, or monoecious. The flowers are aggregated in inflorescences, in cymes, regular, cyclic or tetracyclic. They present a perianthPerianth
The term perianth has two similar but separate meanings in botany:* In flowering plants, the perianth are the outer, sterile whorls of a flower...
with distinct calyx and corolla. The corolla is not fleshy. Androecial members free of the perianth; free of one another; 1 whorled. Androecium exclusively of fertile stamens, or including staminodes (these in the form of 1–2 nectariferous glands outside the stamens, cf. Lauraceae). Staminodes external to the fertile stamens (3–5); oppositisepalous (alternating with the inner perianth whorl). Anthers dehiscing by longitudinal valves. Anther wall of the ‘dicot’ type. Pollen grains nonaperturate; 2-celled. Gynoecium 1 carpelled. Carpels reduced in number relative to the perianth. The pistil 1 celled. Gynoecium
Gynoecium
Gynoecium is most commonly used as a collective term for all carpels in a flower. A carpel is the ovule and seed producing reproductive organ in flowering plants. Carpels are derived from ovule-bearing leaves which evolved to form a closed structure containing the ovules...
monomerous; of one carpel; inferior. Carpel stylate; apically stigmatic; 1 ovuled. Placentation apical. Ovules pendulous; anatropous; bitegmic; crassinucellate. Endosperm formation cellular.
The fruit is non-fleshy and presents the following characteristics: fruiting carpel indehiscent, winged or enclosed in an inflated envelope derived from connate bracteoles, with only 1 seed non-endospermic, 2 cotyledons (fleshy, oily, smooth or ruminate). The embryo is straight.
Phytochemistry
Not cyanogenicGlycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to a non-carbohydrate moiety, usually a small organic molecule. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme...
. Alkaloids present (Efatine, (+)-O,O-dimethyl corytuberine, hernandaline, hernandine, hernanymphine and herveline A). Iridoids not detected. Arthroquinones detected (Illigera); polyacetate derived. Proanthocyanidins absent. Lignan
Lignan
The lignans are a group of chemical compounds found in plants. Lignans are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like chemicals and also act as antioxidants. The other classes of phytoestrogens are the isoflavones and coumestans...
s present (Deoxypodophyllic acid, (+)-hernangerine, hernolactone, epimagnolin, epieudesmine, epiaschantin). Flavonols
Flavonols
Flavonols are a class of flavonoids that have the 3-hydroxyflavone backbone . Their diversity stems from the different positions the phenolic -OH groups. They are distinct from flavanols , another class of flavonoids.Flavonols are present in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables...
present: kaempferol
Kaempferol
Kaempferol is a natural flavonol, a type of flavonoid, that has been isolated from tea, broccoli, Delphinium, Witch-hazel, grapefruit,cabbage, kale, beans, endive, leek, tomato, strawberries, grapes, brussels sprouts, apples and other plant sources. Kaempferol is a yellow crystalline solid with a...
and quercetin
Quercetin
Quercetin , a flavonol, is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. It also may be used as an ingredient in supplements, beverages or foods.-Occurrence:...
. Ellagic acid
Ellagic acid
Ellagic acid is a natural phenol antioxidant found in numerous fruits and vegetables including blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, pomegranates, wolfberry and other plant foods...
absent (Hernandia
Hernandia
Hernandia is a genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family.-Species:*Hernandia albiflora*Hernandia beninensis*Hernandia bivalvis*Hernandia catalpifolia*Hernandia cubensis*Hernandia didymantha...
). Saponins/sapogenins absent. Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
accumulation not found. Sugars transported as sucrose
Sucrose
Sucrose is the organic compound commonly known as table sugar and sometimes called saccharose. A white, odorless, crystalline powder with a sweet taste, it is best known for its role in human nutrition. The molecule is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose with the molecular formula...
(Hernandia
Hernandia
Hernandia is a genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family.-Species:*Hernandia albiflora*Hernandia beninensis*Hernandia bivalvis*Hernandia catalpifolia*Hernandia cubensis*Hernandia didymantha...
).
Uses
The bark, seeds and young leaves are purgative. The root is chewed as a remedy against eating poisonous crabs and fishes. The juice of the bark and leaves has depilatery properties. The available information on the plant parts used by Samoan healers, their modes of preparation and application have been listed in Table-1. The leaves of the plant are used as hypertensive antitumor prophylaxis of arteriosclerosis piscicide. The Stem bark, root bark, twigs, stalks and seeds of the plant are used as hypotensive, non-cholinergic, relaxant smooth musculature, vasopressive, sympathicomimetic for inflammation and irritation of the upper respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tractGastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
. Also used as mild laxative, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, cytostatic, antiviral, externally on boils, ulcers, sores, inflammations. The pericarp of the fruits also relaxes the smooth musculature, produces a cataleptic action, anti-convulsive, in convulsive disorders, vasopressive, reduces intestinal movement, hypotensive, non-cholinergic, dilation of capillary blood vessels (non toxic low doses) respiration is accelerated, uterus-stimulating (large doses) respiration is slowed, uterus- inhibitor, stimulation of the secretion of tears and saliva, might cause emesis and moderate tachycardia
Tachycardia
Tachycardia comes from the Greek words tachys and kardia . Tachycardia typically refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal range for a resting heart rate...
, hypnotic, sedative, narcotic, adrenolytic, psychomimetic, induces hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia or Hyperglycæmia, or high blood sugar, is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma. This is generally a glucose level higher than 13.5mmol/l , but symptoms may not start to become noticeable until even higher values such as 15-20 mmol/l...
.
Among the chemical compounds isolated from the family Hernandiaceae, the alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
corytuberine is the oldest known compound. Later on, its derivative O,O-Dimethylcorytuberine was reported from several Hernandia
Hernandia
Hernandia is a genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family.-Species:*Hernandia albiflora*Hernandia beninensis*Hernandia bivalvis*Hernandia catalpifolia*Hernandia cubensis*Hernandia didymantha...
species, including H. nymphaeifolia. Actinodaphnine and hernandion, were the earliest chemical compounds reported from the family hernandiaceae respectively. .
Species
Species 54. Genera 3; Hazomalania, HernandiaHernandia
Hernandia is a genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family.-Species:*Hernandia albiflora*Hernandia beninensis*Hernandia bivalvis*Hernandia catalpifolia*Hernandia cubensis*Hernandia didymantha...
, Illigera.
- GyrocarpusGyrocarpusGyrocarpus is a small genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family with a wide pantropical distribution.-Species:* Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. * Gyrocarpus angustifolius Thulin...
is considered in Cronquist System to belong a separated family, the Gyrocarpaceae. (Propellerbaum, Whirly Whirly Tree, Stinkwood, Helicopter Tree) http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/164872/
Genus Hernandia
Hernandia
Hernandia is a genus of flowering plants in the Hernandiaceae family.-Species:*Hernandia albiflora*Hernandia beninensis*Hernandia bivalvis*Hernandia catalpifolia*Hernandia cubensis*Hernandia didymantha...
- Hernandia ovigera (syn. H. peltata) is the most abundant species in terms of the sheer number of compounds isolated and subsequent biological activities reported in the literature.
- Hernandia albiflora
- Hernandia beninensisHernandia beninensisHernandia beninensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia bivalvis
- Hernandia catalpifoliaHernandia catalpifoliaHernandia catalpifolia is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to Jamaica. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia cordigera
- Hernandia cubensisHernandia cubensisHernandia cubensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to Cuba. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Areces-Mallea, A.E. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia didymanthaHernandia didymanthaHernandia didymantha is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia drakeanaHernandia drakeanaHernandia drakeana was a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It was endemic to French Polynesia.-Source:* Florence, J. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia guianensis
- Hernandia hammeliiHernandia hammeliiHernandia hammelii is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to Panama. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Mitré, M. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia jamaicensisHernandia jamaicensisHernandia jamaicensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to Jamaica.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia kunstleri
- Hernandia leucomphala
- Hernandia lychniferaHernandia lychniferaHernandia lychnifera is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-Source:...
- Hernandia mascarenensisHernandia mascarenensisHernandia mascarenensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is found in Mauritius and Réunion.-Source:* Strahm, W. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia moerenhoutiana Guill. (indigenous to Samoa Islands, also occurs westward to MelanesiaMelanesiaMelanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
.) - Hernandia nukuhivensisHernandia nukuhivensisHernandia nukuhivensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia.-References:* Florence, J. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia nymphaeifoliaHernandia nymphaeifoliaHernandia nymphaeifolia is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. Its common name is Lantern Tree.-Description:Hernandia nymphaeifolia is a tree with 5-22 m high. The leaves are narrowly or broadly ovate or subcircular. The 5-9 veins are palmate. The flowers are white or greenish ,...
- Hernandia obovata
- Hernandia olivacea
- Hernandia papuana
- Hernandia peltata
- Hernandia rostrata
- Hernandia samoensis
- Hernandia sonora
- Hernandia stenuraHernandia stenuraHernandia stenura is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia stokesiiHernandia stokesiiHernandia stokesii is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is found in French Polynesia and the Pitcairn Islands.-Source:* Waldren, S. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia tahitensisHernandia tahitensisHernandia tahitensis is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia.-Source:* Florence, J. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia temariiHernandia temariiHernandia temarii is a species of plant in the Hernandiaceae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia.-Source:* Florence, J. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
- Hernandia voyroni
- Hernandia wendtii
Genus Illigera
- Illigera appendiculata
- Illigera aromatica
- Illigera brevistaminata
- Illigera cardiophylla
- Illigera celebica
- Illigera cordata
- Illigera coryzadenia
- Illigera cucullata
- Illigera dasyphylla
- Illigera diptera
- Illigera dubia
- Illigera dunniana
- Illigera elegans
- Illigera elliptifolia
- Illigera fordii
- Illigera gammiei
- Illigera glabra
- Illigera glandulosa
- Illigera grandiflora
- Illigera henryi
- Illigera khasiana
- Illigera kurzii
- Illigera lucida
- Illigera luzonensis
- Illigera madagascariensis
- Illigera megaptera
- Illigera meyeniana
- Illigera mollissima
- Illigera nervosa
- Illigera novoguineensis
- Illigera obtusa
- Illigera orbiculata
- Illigera ovatifolia
- Illigera parviflora
- Illigera pentaphylla
- Illigera petelotii
- Illigera pierrei
- Illigera platyandra
- Illigera pseudoparviflora
- Illigera pubescens
- Illigera pulchra
- Illigera reticulata
- Illigera rhodantha
- Illigera rhodanthe
- Illigera ternata
- Illigera thorelii
- Illigera trifoliata
- Illigera vespertilio
- Illigera villosa
- Illigera yaoshanensis
Genus Hazomalania
- Hazomalania voyronii
External links
- Hernandiaceae, Gyrocarpaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. Version: 3 May 2006. http://delta-intkey.com.
- Hernandiaceae at the University of Hawaii
- NCBI Taxonomy Browser
- links at CSDL, Texas
- Vegetation of the Montane Region of Savai'i, W. Arthur Whistler.
- "The Families of Flowering Plants". L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz: Hernandiaceae http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/hernandi.htm
- Lakshmi et al., Rec. Nat. Prod. 3:1 (2009) 1-22 http://acgpubs.org/RNP/2009/Volume%203/Issue%201/1_RNP-0808-44.pdf