Maesa

Maesa
Maesa japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Subfamily: Maesoideae
A.DC.
Genus: Maesa
Forssk. (1775)
Type species
Maesa lanceolata
Forrsk.
Species

184, see text

Synonyms
  • Baeobotrys J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (1776)
  • Cistula Noronha (1790), nom. nud.
  • Dartus Lour. (1790)
  • Doraena Thunb. (1783)
  • Siburatia Thouars (1806)

Maesa is a genus of flowering plants. It is placed in the family Primulaceae, subfamily Maesoideae, for which it is the sole genus (monotypic). Previously it was placed in Myrsinaceae, or in a family of its own, Maesaceae. There are 184 accepted species native to tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, the majority of which occur in Malesia, New Guinea, western Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

These plants are vines, shrubs, and trees up to 12 meters tall.