Billardiera is a genus of small vines and shrubs in the family, Pittosporaceae, which is endemic to Australia. The genus was first formally described in 1793 by botanist James Edward Smith who named it in honour of Jacques Labillardière, a French botanist.[1][2][3]
Billardiera | |
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Billardiera scandens, fruit - Lawson, NSW | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Pittosporaceae |
Genus: | Billardiera Sm. |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
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Members of the genus, Billardiera, are woody climbers.[4] The leathery leaves are alternate.[3] The 5-merous hermaphroditic flowers are usually terminal, and may be solitary or clustered.[3] The perianth consists of a distinct calyx and corolla.[3] The petals are clawed. The anthers shed their pollen via longitudinal slits.[3] There is one hairless style & stigma.[3] The ovary is superior and either 2 or 3 locular, with the placentation being parietal.[3] The fruit is either a two-celled capsule or a berry with one or two cells.[3] The wingless seeds are often covered in a mucilaginous pulp.[3]
The genus is endemic to Australia and found in all states and territories except the Northern Territory
Taxon identifiers | |
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Billardiera |
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Pronaya |