Cynophalla J. Presi is one of the most dis-
tinctive New World genera of Capparaceae that
can be segregated from an overly all-inclusive
Capparis. Cynophalla is characterized by a
simple pubescence or otherwise being glabrous;
terminal branches with distichous phyllotaxy
(except the Ecuadorian-Peruvian Cynophalla
sclerophylla (H. H. Iltis & X. Cornejo) H. H.
Iltis & X. Cornejo); petioles of similar length,
without pulvini; and with highly distinctive 1 to 3
extrafloral, supraxillary nectaries. The supraxillary
nectaries of Cynophalla are visited during the day
by many species of insects ( Coleóptera L., Diptera
L., Lepidoptera L., and Hymenoptera L.), and
even by spiders when food is scarce (X. Cornejo,
pers. observ.). The calyx is 2-seriate; the sepals
are 4, suborbicular, abaxially convex, decussate-
imbricate and anisosepalous, the outer pair is
smaller. The petals are 4, sinistrorsely-torsive in
bud. The floral nectaries are 4, flat to somewhat
concave and ± horizontally arranged on the
receptacle, the nectary scales are absent or
sometimes rudimentary; the hypanthium is
absent; the stamens are 28 to 150(-250). The
fruits are capsules often torulose, with a septici-
dal dehiscence, bearing seeds of convolute,
thin cotyledons and green embryos, surrounded
by a white aril.
Distribución:
Cynophalla comprises ca. 16 species (includ-
ing the eight herewith transferred), distributed
from Southern Rorida and Mexico to Northern
Argentina and the West Indies.
The species of Cynophalla are unarmed and
not thorny as previously stated (Inocencio et al,
2006: 125).
