Synonyms: Octospermum APNI*
Description: Mostly trees or shrubs, usually dioecious, with simple or stellate hairs.
Leaves alternate or opposite, margins crenate, toothed or entire, often 3-veined at base, lower surface often with coloured surface glands, upper surface mostly with 2 glands near base of lamina.
Flowers in terminal or axillary racemes, sometimes condensed. Sepals 3–5. Petals absent. Stamens numerous. Ovary mostly 3-locular, 1 ovule in each loculus; styles plumose.
Capsule ± globose, mostly 3-lobed.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 140 species, Africa, Madagascar, mainly South-East Asia to New Caledonia & Fiji. Australia: 12 species, Qld, N.S.W., N.T., W.A., chiefly tropical & E coast.
Text by T.A. James & G.J. Harden
Taxon concept:
Taxa not yet included in identification key
Mallotus paniculatus
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves opposite, mostly regularly toothed, sometimes more or less entire | Mallotus claoxyloides |
| Leaves alternate, margins not toothed, entire or almost so | 2 |
| 2 | Shoots and main veins covered with whitish hairs; fruit and leaves without red granular glands, lower surface of leaves covered with minute yellowish surface glands; inflorescence axillary, unbranched | Mallotus discolor |
| Shoots and main veins rusty-hairy; fruit and lower surface of leaves covered with red, often granular, surface glands; inflorescence terminal, mostly branched
Back to 1 | Mallotus philippensis |
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