Scutia is a genus of flowering shrubs and small trees in the family Rhamnaceae, placed within the order Rosales. The genus has a notably disjunct distribution, occurring across South America (including the Galápagos Islands), Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, southern China, and Southeast Asia. This wide pantropical range reflects ancient dispersal events across the Southern Hemisphere. Members of Scutia are typically spiny or armed shrubs with simple leaves and small flowers. The genus contains a small number of accepted species, including the widely distributed Scutia myrtina (cat thorn) found across Africa and Asia, Scutia buxifolia of South America, and Scutia spicata endemic to the Galápagos Islands.
Distribution
Scutia has a disjunct pantropical distribution spanning South America (including the Galápagos Islands), Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
Taxonomy Notes
Scutia belongs to the family Rhamnaceae within the order Rosales. GBIF recognises the genus as accepted; the small number of accepted species (around five) reflects past taxonomic consolidation within this group.
