Abuta

Abuta is a genus in the flowering plant family Menispermaceae, of about 32 species, native to tropical Central and South America. It consists in dioecious climbers or rarely erect trees or shrubs (Abuta concolor) with simple leaves. Flowers in composed panicles. Male flowers: sepals 6, in 2 whorls, petals absent, stamens 6, connate or free, introrse, anthers with a longitudinal or transverse dehiscence. Female flowers: sepals and petals as in male, staminodes 6, carpels 3, drupes ovoid, endocarp woody, condyle septiform, endosperm ruminate, embryo curved, cotyledons appressed. It is in the tropical rain forest. Abuta is usually classified in the tribe Anomospermeae Miers, together with Anomospermum Miers. The genera Anelasma Miers and Batschia Thunb. have been brought into synonymy with Abuta.