Ellipanthus
# Ellipanthus

Ellipanthus is a genus of plants in the family Connaraceae. The generic name is from the Greek meaning "defective flower", referring to the incomplete development of some of the stamens.

## Description

Ellipanthus species grow as shrubs or small trees. The twigs are tomentose, especially when young. Inflorescences consist of four or five flowers. The fruits are densely tomentose with a woody pericarp.

## Distribution and habitat

Ellipanthus species grow naturally in Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, mainland Southeast Asia and Malesia. Their habitat is lowland mixed dipterocarp forest and mixed swamp forest.

## Species

As of May 2014 The Plant List recognises 10 accepted taxa (of species and infraspecific names):

* Ellipanthus beccarii Pierre
* Ellipanthus calophyllus Kurz
* Ellipanthus glabrifolius Merr.
* Ellipanthus hemandradenioides Brenan
* Ellipanthus madagascariensis (Schellenb.) Capuron ex Keraudren
* Ellipanthus razanatsimae Randrian. & Lowry
* Ellipanthus tomentosus Kurz
   * var. kingii (Boerl. & Koord.) Leenh.
* Ellipanthus unifoliatus (Thwaites) Thwaites
* Ellipanthus unifoliolatus (Thwaites Thwaites) Thwaites
