Clethra

Clethra is a genus of flowering shrubs or small trees described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753.

Clethra
Clethra arborea flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Clethraceae
Genus: Clethra
L.
Type species
Clethra alnifolia
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Junia Adans., illegitimate superfluous name, not Raf. 1840 (Saxifragaceae)
  • Volkameria P.Browne 1756, illegitimate homonym, not L. 1753 (Lamiaceae) nor L. ex Kuntze 1898 (Pedaliaceae) nor Heist. ex Fabr. 1759 (Lamiaceae)
  • Tinus L. 1759, illegitimate homonym, not Mill. 1754 (Caprifoliaceae) nor Kuntze 1891 (Primulaceae)
  • Gillena Adans. 1763, illegitimate superfluous name
  • Cuellaria Ruiz & Pav.
  • Crossophrys Klotzsch
  • Kowalewskia Turcz.

Clethra is one of two genera in the family Clethraceae (the other being Purdiaea). The species may be evergreen or deciduous, and all bear flowers in clusters (inflorescences), which correspond to racemes or panicles. The flowers are quite small, white or pinkish, and each bear 5 free petals, numerous stamens, and a 3-chambered seed capsule. The leaves, simple, ovate, and alternate or opposite, bear characteristic stellate hairs. The seeds are very small and numerous.

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