Chassalia is a genus of flowering plants in the coffee family (Rubiaceae), placed in the tribe Palicoureeae. The genus was described by French naturalist Philibert Commerson and validly published by Jean Louis Marie Poiret (abbreviated Comm. ex Poir.). It comprises approximately 90 accepted species distributed across tropical Africa, Madagascar, and tropical and subtropical Asia. The genus has two heterotypic synonyms: Proscephaleium and Zwaardekronia (both described by Korthals). Notable members include Chassalia curviflora (the species pictured in the genus lead image, widespread in tropical Asia), C. javanica, C. corallifera, C. zenkeri, and C. longiloba.
Distribution
The genus Chassalia has a wide paleotropical distribution, occurring from tropical West and Central Africa eastward to East Africa and Madagascar, and across the Indian Ocean to tropical and subtropical Asia (including India, Southeast Asia, and Malesia). The genus is absent from the Neotropics and temperate regions.
Taxonomy
Chassalia belongs to the tribe Palicoureeae within the family Rubiaceae (coffee family), order Gentianales. The genus was described by Comm. ex Poir. (Philibert Commerson / Jean Louis Marie Poiret). Two heterotypic synonyms exist: Proscephaleium Korth. and Zwaardekronia Korth. GBIF recognizes approximately 90 accepted species within the genus.
