Volume 34 Published on 24 December 2014
The Polygalaceae is a family of about 1 000 species and is found throughout the world’s tropical and temperate regions. Although there are only five genera and 43 species of Polygalaceae in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, they exhibit remarkable diversity in morphology. Its species range from diminutive herbs such as Salomonia, to herbs and shrubs in Polygala, lianas in Securidaca and forest trees in Xanthophyllum. It even includes one myco-heterotroph, Epirixanthes, which is an easily overlooked inhabitant of the forest floor. Polygalaceae species may be found in a many habitats from sea level to 2 600 m, including open, disturbed areas and within closed forests.
This volume includes keys and detailed descriptions of all species, notes on their ecology and distributions, citations of all known specimens, line drawings to illustrate each genus and fourteen colour photographs of seven species. Polygala is the most diverse genus in the region, with 22 species.
