Milkberry | |
---|---|
Chiococca alba | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Rubiaceae |
Subfamily: | Cinchonoideae |
Tribe: | Chiococceae |
Genus: | Chiococca P.Browne |
Type species | |
Chiococca alba | |
Synonyms | |
Chiococca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae.[1] It currently holds 23 species that are native to Florida, Texas, Mexico, Central America, much of South America, the West Indies, and the islands of Galápagos and Fernando de Noronha.[2][3][4]
The type species for the genus is Chiococca alba.[5] It ranges from Florida to Paraguay and is cultivated as an ornamental.[6]
Chiococca was named by Patrick Browne in 1756.[1] The generic name is derived from the Greek words χιών (chion), meaning "snow" and κόκκος (kokkos), meaning "kernel" or "berry".[7]
Chiococca is a member of the tribe Chiococceae.[8] Within the tribe, it is closely related to Bikkia.[9]