Genus Cassinopsis Sond.

Figs 7.10–7.26, 8.1–8.9

Description

FRUIT. Globose to elliptical, occasionally laterally compressed, brown-black when mature. Epicarp glabrous. Calyx persistent.

ENDOCARP. Cream to brown, elliptical to globose in lateral view, lenticular to globose in transverse section. Keel surrounding the endocarp in the plane of symmetry. Apex asymmetrical in lateral view; base symmetrical. Outer surface of the endocarp ridged with thin to thick rounded and diffuse ridges (i.e., not reticulate), sometimes absent. Vasculature of the endocarp follows the reticulum of ridges or resides in a channel. Endocarp primary vascular bundle outside or within the endocarp wall. Endocarp wall thick, homogeneous, without preferential orientations of cells. Locule surface smooth, occasionally lacunate or with clusters of hairs.

Key to the genus Cassinopsis

1. Endocarp primary vascular bundle within the endocarp wall ................. C. madagascariensis Baill.

– Endocarp primary vascular bundle outside the endocarp wall ......................................................... 2

2. Endocarp globose, surface smooth ..................................................... C. ilicifolia (Hochst.) Sleumer

– Endocarp elliptical, surface clearly ridged ................................................................ C. ciliata Baker