Barringtonia

views updated

Barringtonia (family Lecythidaceae) A genus of mostly small tropical trees whose flowers are nocturnal, sweet-scented, borne in spikes, and often cauliflorous. They have many stamens, and the ovary is inferior. The fruits are indehiscent, with 1 seed. B. asiatica is a widespread species found along sandy coasts. There are 39 species, occurring in Africa, Madagascar, and from Indo-Malaysia to the Pacific.

More From encyclopedia.com