| Leea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| L. rubraBlume, formerly L. sambucinaBlanco | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Vitales |
| Family: | Vitaceae |
| Subfamily: | Leeoideae Burmeist. |
| Genus: | Leea D.Royen [1] [2] |
| Type species | |
| Leea aequata L. [2] | |
| Species | |
see text | |
Leea is a genus of plants in the family Vitaceae, subfamily Leeoideae, that are native to parts of central Africa, tropical Asia, Australia and Melanesia. [1]
Plants in this genus are shrubs or small trees. Leaves are arranged alternately on either side of the branches, and are compound (i.e divided into leaflets). [2] [3] Stipules are characteristic. [4] : 355 Inflorescences are cymose , flowers have four or five petals and sepals. The fruits are berries containing up to six (rarely 10) seeds. [2] [3]
Unlike the rest of the Vitaceae species, they are not climbers and do not have tendrils. [2] [4]
It was previously placed in its own family, Leeaceae, based on morphological differences between it and other Vitaceae genera. These differences include ovule number per locule (two in Vitaceae and one in Leeaceae), carpel number (two in Vitaceae and three in Leeaceae), and the absence or presence of a staminoidal tube (present in Leeaceae) and floral disc (present in Vitaceae). Pollen structure has also been examined for taxonomic demarcation, although a 1968 study of pollen morphology by Ion Teofil Tarnavschi and E. Petria concluded that Leeaceae and Vitaceae should remain separate families, while a 1966 study by Otto Gunnar Elias Erdtman concluded that Leea should be included in Vitaceae. [5]
The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus after James Lee, the Scottish nurseryman based in Hammersmith, London who introduced many new plant discoveries to England at the end of the 18th century. [6]
It is native to areas from Africa, through south and eastern Asia to Australia and the western Pacific. The World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions lists the countries/regions as follows: [1] [7]
Leea flowers are visited by a variety of potential insect pollinators, including flies, wasps, bees, butterflies, and beetles. Some species may have evolved synchronized dichogamy as a mechanism to prevent self pollination. [8]
Plants of the World Online accepts the following 45 species in this genus as of 2 November 2025 [update] . [1]
Media related to Leea at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Leea at Wikispecies
