The jellyfish tree (Medusagyne oppositifolia), the only species of the family Medusagynaceae, is a very rare and unusual tree uniquely found on the island of Mahé, of the Seychelles. The plant was thought to be extinct until a few of them were discovered in the 1970s.

The stamen of the flower resemble tentacles of a jellyfish, hence the common name and the generic name of the plant.

The genus Medusagyne is sometimes included into the family Ochnaceae.

References

• Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A2be, D v2.3)

External links

• Medusagynaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, information retrieval. http://delta-intkey.com

Malpighiales | Plant families | Medusagyne