Polyspora
| Polyspora | |
|---|---|
| Polyspora axillaris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Theaceae |
| Genus: | Polyspora Sweet (1825) |
| Species | |
|
47; see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Polyspora is a genus of flowering plants in the tea family (Theaceae). It includes 47 species, which range from India through Indochina, southern China, Malesia, Taiwan and New Guinea.
The genus is highly valued for its ornamental qualities. Particularly, these species flowers during the winter, and enhance garden landscapes visually with their attractive foliage, fruits, bark, and overall form. They are generally fast-growing and adaptable, with leaves that have high water content, and capable of thriving in poor, mountainous soils, making them suitable for afforestation in tropical and subtropical regions. In addition, some species contain natural antioxidant compounds with potential health-related applications.