Thymelaeaceae: Mezereum Family

Thymelaeaceae In the world there are 50 genera and 500 species- most are in Africa and Asia Most are shrubs Bark is difficult to break Fruit is usually dry or fleshy

Dirca palustris Eastern Leatherwood It is extremly slow growing Some people are allergic to the bark and the fruit is believed to be a narcotic Palutris means growing in a swamp and the leatherwood grows in moist to wet soils Woody shrub that grows up to 7 feet tall Plant rarely has stems that grow over 6cm in diameter

Dirca palustris Leaves are alternate, simple, and obovate to oval 2-4 in. long and 1-3 in. wide and they are pubescent when young Flowers are abundant in fascicles of 2-4 with 8 stamens that are 2 different lengths Flowers normally appear March to April Fruits are drupes that are oval to oblong and red to orange in color

Daphne Family made up of evergreen and deciduous shrubs Found in Europe, North Africa, and Asia Known for their highly scented flowers but some species in the family are not scented Daphne cenorum

Gonystylus Tropical hardwoods found in Asia that are ~40m tall and branchless until about 21m up Leaves are elliptical, obovate, and rounded at the bass and then narrow to a point classified as vulnerable G. banacus is the most over-exploited in the species because of its high value for products such as door and window frames, cabinets, and other furniture

Gonystylus

Works Cited "Dirca palustria." Discover Life Web. 24 Jan Harden, G. "Family Thymelaeaceae." PlantNET Web. 24 Jan Orwa C, A Mutua, Kindt R, Jamnadass R, S Anthony Agroforestree Database:a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0 "Plant Profile: Daphne." Gardening Australia Web. 24 Jan Pictures: – parade parade – – onystylus-bancanus.jpg