Astraea is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Euphorbiaceae (the spurge family), placed within the order Malpighiales. The genus was first formally described in 1841 and comprises approximately 13 accepted species. All members are native to tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere, with species distributed across tropical South America and adjacent areas, including Brazil (where Astraea lobata is documented) and Suriname (home to Astraea surinamensis).
As members of Euphorbiaceae, plants in this genus share the broad characteristics of the spurge family, which is one of the largest and most diverse flowering plant families, encompassing trees, shrubs, herbs, and succulents found throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Distribution
Astraea is native to tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere. Known species are distributed across tropical South America, including Brazil and Suriname.
Taxonomy Notes
Astraea was first described as a genus in 1841 and is placed in the family Euphorbiaceae, order Malpighiales. The genus name is shared with a Greek mythological figure and a gastropod genus, but the plant genus is unrelated to either.
