A. RADCLIFFE-SMITH

Monoecious or subdioecious trees with a simple or substmple indumentum. Leaves alternate, simple, entire or palmately-lobed, petiolate, stipulate, the stipules soon falling. Inflorescences terminal, thyrsiform, androgynous or unisexual; bracts lanceolate, the lower sometimes persistent. Flowers large for the family. Male flowers: calyx closed in bud, later splitting valvately into 2-3 lobes; petals 5, free, contorted; disc of 5 free erect glands; stamens 2-verticillate, (8-) 10-14, the outer ± free or shortly connate, the inner connate for over half their length, the anthers introrse; pistillode absent. Female flowers: calyx, petals and disc ± as in the ♂ flowers; ovary 3-5-celled, with 1 ovule per cell; styles 3-5, ± free or united at the base, bifid. Fruits large, capsular, tardily dehiscent from the base; exocarp fibrous; endocarp woody or crustaceous, 3-5-celled. Seeds ovoid-trigonous, ecarunculate; testa thick, woody, albumen hard; embryo straight, cotyledons broad, flat.

A genus of 3 closely-related species from E. & S.E. Asia, one of which is cultivated in Pakistan.

Lower Taxon

• Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw

Related Synonym(s):

• Aleurites fordii Hemsl. = Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw