cyclocarpum

Cyclocarpum is a genus of flowering plants that has been described in botanical literature. It is usually placed in the family Rubiaceae and is native to tropical regions of the Americas, ranging from southern Mexico through Central America to parts of northern South America. The number of species assigned to Cyclocarpum varies by source, with some treatments recognizing a small handful and others merging some species into related genera.

In terms of morphology, Cyclocarpum species are shrubs or small trees. Leaves are opposite and simple, with interpetiolar stipules typical of Rubiaceae. Flowers are small and actinomorphic, arranged in terminal or axillary cymes; they are commonly white or pale green and have a tubular or funnel-shaped corolla. The fruit is typically a berry or drupe containing one or several seeds.

Ecology and uses: Species inhabit tropical forests, forest edges, and sometimes disturbed sites. They are generally pollinated by insects, and their fleshy fruits are dispersed by birds or mammals. Beyond basic botanical interest, Cyclocarpum has limited documented uses in traditional medicine or local timber, varying by species and region.

Taxonomic notes: The genus has undergone revisions, and its circumscription is not universally agreed upon. Some databases accept Cyclocarpum as a distinct genus; others place certain species in related Rubiaceae genera. As a result, information about species and distribution should be checked against current taxonomic databases.