Gouania

Jacquin

Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist., 263, plate 179, fig. 40. 1763.

Common names: Chewstick jaboncillo
Etymology: For Antoine Gouan, 1733–1821, French botanist and ichthyologist at Montpellier, director of botanical garden in 1767, later professor of botany and medicine
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 109. Mentioned on page 44, 110.

Woody vines [climbing shrubs], tendrils present [rarely absent], unarmed; bud scales present. Leaves deciduous [persistent], alternate; blade not gland-dotted; pinnately veined [3-veined from base]. Inflorescences: axillary or terminal, racemelike or paniclelike thyrses; peduncles and pedicels not fleshy in fruit. Pedicels present or absent. Flowers bisexual [unisexual, plants polygamous]; hypanthium cupulate to campanulate, 1.5–3 mm wide; sepals 5, spreading, pale green, ovate-triangular, keeled adaxially; petals 5 [rarely 0], white to yellowish or greenish, hooded, spatulate, clawed; nectary fleshy, margins 5-lobed [unlobed], lining hypanthium but distally free; stamens 5, enfolded by petals; ovary inferior, 3-locular; styles 3, connate basally. Fruits schizocarps, breaking into 3 2-winged samaras [rarely nutlets].

Distribution

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

Species 50–70 (1 in the flora).

Stems of at least some species of Gouania are chewed to clean the teeth and harden the gums, hence the common names.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

... more about "Gouania"
Guy L. Nesom +
Jacquin +
Chewstick +  and jaboncillo +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +, Asia +, Africa +, Indian Ocean Islands +, Pacific Islands +  and Australia. +
For Antoine Gouan, 1733–1821, French botanist and ichthyologist at Montpellier, director of botanical garden in 1767, later professor of botany and medicine +
Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist., +
Gouania +
Rhamnaceae +