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

Nomenclature:

• *Vernicia Lour.
  • Loureiro: 586 (1790)
  • Radcliffe-Smith: 178 (1987)
  • Webster: 114 (1994)
  • Radcliffe-Smith: 301 (1996)
  • Stuppy et al.: 88 (1999)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global : Species 3, from East and Southeast Asia
• Southern aFrica : Species 2, cultivated, may occur as escapes