[For Jacob Christian Schaeffer, 1718–1790, German botanist, zoologist, theologian, and clergyman] [For Jacob Christian Schaeffer, 1718–1790, German botanist, zoologist, theologian, and clergyman]

Jinshuang Ma

Shrubs or trees, <dioecious>. Branchlets terete. Leaves persistent, alternate or fascicled; stipules absent; petiole present or absent; blade margins entire; venation pinnate. Inflorescences axillary, fascicles or flowers solitary. Flowers unisexual, radially symmetric; perianth and androecium hypogynous; hypanthium absent; sepals 4, distinct; petals 4, greenish white to white; nectary rudimentary or absent. Staminate flowers: stamens 4; staminodes 0; pistillode present. Pistillate flowers: staminodes 0; pistil 2-carpellate; ovary superior, 2-locular, placentation axile; style 1; stigmas 2; ovule 1 per locule. Fruits drupes, 2-locular, subglobose, apex not beaked. Seeds 1 per locule, oblong, not winged; aril absent.

Species 5–15 (2 in the flora): sc, se United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Lower Taxa

• Schaefferia cuneifolia A. Gray
• Schaefferia frutescens Jacquin