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Roureopsis
Rourea minor
ロウレア
A climbing shrub distributed from Southeast Asia to Pacific islands, found wild in forests of Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. Characterized by odd-pinnately compound leaves and dehiscent fruits that reveal seeds with red arils. Its distribution in Japan is very limited.
Identification Points
- ✓Climbing woody plant with odd-pinnately compound leaves
- ✓Fruits dehisce to expose black seeds with red arils
- ✓Native to forests of the Ryukyu Islands
Habitat
Evergreen forests of the Ryukyu Islands
Season
Year-round (evergreen)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Vine
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf dissection
Dissected
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Petal count
Many
Stipules
Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionマメモドキ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Celastrales > Connaraceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Connaraceae is a tropical family related to Fabales, having evolved bird dispersal through colorful arils. The Ryukyu Islands represent nearly the northern limit of its distribution in Japan.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification