Nauclea

Nauclea
Nauclea orientalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Cinchonoideae
Tribe: Naucleeae
Genus: Nauclea
L.
Type species
Nauclea orientalis
(L.) L.
Synonyms
  • Bancalus Rumph. ex Kuntze
  • Burttdavya Hoyle
  • Cephalina Thonn.
  • Platanocarpum Korth.
  • Platanocephalus Vaill. ex Crantz
  • Sarcocephalus Afzel. ex R.Br.

Nauclea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The species are evergreen trees or shrubs that are native to the paleotropics. The terminal vegetative buds are usually strongly flattened. The generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek words naus, meaning "ship" and kleio, meaning "to close". It refers to the resemblance of the cells of the capsule to a ship's hull.