Source:
SSA
Description:
Trees; indumentum simple; monoecious or subdioecious. Leaves alternate, simple, entire or palmately lobed, lobed leaves with gland at sinus between lobes, petiolate; stipules minute and soon deciduous. Inflorescences terminal, thyrsiform, bisexual, protogynous, with a solitary, terminal female flower and several male flowers and cymules, or else inflorescences unisexual; bracts lanceolate, lower sometimes persistent, upper soon deciduous; flowers large. Male flowers: calyx valvate, 2- or 3-lobed; petals free, contorted; disc of 5 free, erect glands; stamens 2-verticellate, (8-)10-14, outer +/- free or fused for a third of their length, inner fused for over half their length; anthers introrse; pistillode 0. Female flowers: calyx, petals and disc as in male flowers; ovary 3(-5)-locular, with 1 ovule per locule; styles 3(-5), +/- free or united at base, bifid. Fruit large, tardily dehiscent from base; exocarp fibrous; endocarp woody or crustaceous, 3(-5)-locular. Seeds ovoid-trigonous, ecarunculate; testa thick, woody; albumen hard; embryo straight; cotyledons broad, flat. x = 11.
Distribution:
Species 3 from East and Southeast Asia, of which 2 are cultivated in sthn Afr. and may occur as escapes.
Classification:
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