Thoracocarpus

• Authority

  Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

• Family

  Cyclanthaceae

• Scientific Name

  Thoracocarpus

• Description

  Genus Description - Root-climbing lianas, with long, branched stems, with two types of aerial roots (short-climbing and pendent). Stems woody, with distinct, evenly spaced, circular scars, often branched and extending from tree. Leaves spirally arranged at apex of stems; petiole with sheath clasping stem; blade usually bifid, sometimes smaller, entire leaves present on sterile branches. Inflorescences with 8-11 spathes scattered along peduncle; spadix short-cylindrical to ellipsoid or somewhat obovoid, the flowers not in stacked rings, pistillate flowers surrounded by staminate flowers. Staminate flowers symmetrical, funnel-shaped, the pedicel distinctly developed, centrally placed, with deeply hollow receptacle and (8)10-15 perianth lobes, these glanduliferous and connate for more than half of length. Pistillate flowers: tepals distinct, the placentae 4, the stigmas sessile. Fruiting spadix very rough from persistent tepals, very lustrous, olive-green to yellowish brown with hard and brittle epidermis. Seeds oblong, flat and thin, yellowish, minutely striate.