Sapindaceae
Sapindaceae
Sapindaceae (pronounced sa-pin-da-see-ee) is a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the soapberry family. The family includes a wide variety of plants including trees, shrubs, and lianas, and is distributed throughout the world.
Etymology
The name Sapindaceae is derived from the Latin word sapo, meaning soap, and indicus, meaning from India. This is in reference to the soap-like qualities of some species within the family.
Description
Members of the Sapindaceae family are characterized by their compound leaves, small flowers, and fruit that is often a capsule or a berry. The flowers are usually unisexual and the plants are often dioecious. The family includes both evergreen and deciduous species.
Genera
The Sapindaceae family includes many well-known genera such as:
- Acer (Maples)
- Aesculus (Horse Chestnuts and Buckeyes)
- Koelreuteria (Golden Rain Trees)
- Litchi (Lychee)
- Paullinia (Guarana)
Economic Importance
Many species within the Sapindaceae family have economic importance. For example, the Litchi genus includes the lychee fruit, which is a major crop in many parts of the world. The Acer genus includes the sugar maple, which is the source of maple syrup. The Aesculus genus includes the horse chestnut, which is used in traditional medicine.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sapindaceae
- Wikipedia's article - Sapindaceae
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