Family Simaroubaceae
Synonyms: Leitneriaceae APNI*
Description: Trees or shrubs, mostly evergreen.
Leaves generally alternate, pinnate or rarely simple; stipules usually absent.
Inflorescences axillary or terminal, a raceme, panicle, thyrse or dichasial cymes. Flowers actinomorphic, small, 3–8-merous, bisexual or more often unisexual and then plants either dioecious or monoecious. Calyx tubular, usually 5-lobed. Petals mostly 5, rarely fused into a tube or absent. Stamens equal to or twice the number of petals, inserted at base of disc, free; anthers 2-locular, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary superior; carpels usually 1–5, free or fused; styles 1–5; ovules mostly solitary.
Fruit [a capsule or berry], or a cluster of 1–5 samaras or drupes.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 25 genera, 150 species, tropical& subtropical regions, especially America. Australia: 4 genera, c. 7 species (6 species native, 1 species naturalized), Qld, N.S.W., Vic., N.T., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Simaroubaceae, Order: Sapindales)
Wikipedia
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Leaves pinnate; flowers unisexual | Ailanthus |
| Leaves simple; flowers bisexual | Quassia |
|
