Gaudichaudia

Gaudichaudia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Malpighiaceae. The genus was established by French botanist and explorer Joseph-François C. A. Gaudichaud-Beaupré, for whom it is named. Plants in this genus are typically shrubs or small trees, and they are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.

Gaudichaudia species are characterized by their trifoliate leaves, meaning each leaf is composed of three leaflets. The flowers are usually yellow or orange and are borne in clusters. These flowers are typically zygomorphic, exhibiting bilateral symmetry. The fruit is a schizocarp, a dry fruit that splits into several one-seeded segments when mature.

The genus Gaudichaudia is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Species are often found in arid or semi-arid environments, as well as in savannas and open woodlands. Some species have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes in their native regions.

Classification within Malpighiaceae can be complex, and the taxonomic status of some Gaudichaudia species has been subject to revision. Current research continues to refine our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within this family and the placement of genera like Gaudichaudia. The genus is recognized for its distinct morphological features, particularly the trifoliate leaves and characteristic fruit type.