Polyalthia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Annonaceae. There are approximately 90 species distributed from Africa to Asia and the Pacific.[1]
These are trees and shrubs. The flower has six petals in two whorls, the inner petals curving inward over the centre.[1]
The name Polyalthia is derived from a combination of Greek words meaning ‘many cures’ with reference to the medicinal properties of certain species.[2]
This large genus was known to be polyphyletic, with many species having been separated and reassigned to other genera.[3][4] Species have also been transferred into this genus (e.g. P. malabarica from Phaeanthus).
Plants of the World Online[5] currently includes the following as accepted:
According to Plants of the World Online, species have been placed in the following genera:
Polyalthia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Annonaceae. There are approximately 90 species distributed from Africa to Asia and the Pacific.
These are trees and shrubs. The flower has six petals in two whorls, the inner petals curving inward over the centre.
The name Polyalthia is derived from a combination of Greek words meaning ‘many cures’ with reference to the medicinal properties of certain species.