Tococo Melastomataceae - Tapa dura

Consisting mainly of woody shrubs and small trees, but sometimes including climbing vines, the plants of the genus Tococa range from southern Mexico to Bolivia and from sea level to about 3,000 meters. This monograph describes the history of the genus, its morphology, chromosome numbers, phytochemistry, phylogenetic relationships, distribution, reproduction biology, ecology, conservation status and ethnobotany, along with a systematic description for each of 45 of the species of this genus and a list of excluded and invalid taxa. Michelangeli (systematic botany, New York Botanical Gardens) also provides indices of local and scientific names. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)