Flabellaria

Flabellaria is a genus in the Malpighiaceae, a family of about 75 genera of flowering plants in the order Malpighiales. Flabellaria includes one variable species, Flabellaria paniculata.

Etymology
The genus name Flabellaria comes from the Latin word flabellum meaning small fan, referring to the shape of the samara.

Synonyms

 * Triaspis flabellaria A.Juss.
 * Triopterys pinnata Poir.

Fossil record
This genus is known in the fossil record from the Cretaceous to the Eocene (age range: from 70.6 to 33.9 million years ago.).

Description
Flabellaria paniculata, the only living species in this genus, can reach a length of 3 - 15 m. These plants are woody vine, with paniculate, lateral and terminal inflorescences up to 20 cm. long. Flowers are radially symmetrical, about 1 centimeter in diameter, with white and spatulate petals.

Distribution and habitat
Flabellaria paniculata is widely distributed in equatorial Africa in thickets, woodlands, and forests, especially along rivers, at an altitude of 1150 - 1650 m.