Sapindaceae

Sapindaceae is a family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales, known as the soapberry family. It contains 138 genera and 1858 known species. Members of this family are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a few species extending into temperate zones.

Description

Members of the Sapindaceae family are trees, shrubs, or lianas. They are often characterized by their compound leaves, which are usually pinnate or palmately compound. The flowers are small and often unisexual, with a radial symmetry. The fruit is a capsule, a berry, or a drupe.

Taxonomy

The family Sapindaceae was first described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1806. It is divided into two subfamilies: Sapindoideae and Dodonaeoideae. The largest genera in the family are Serjania (215 species), Paullinia (195 species), Allophylus (170 species), and Dodonaea (70 species).

Distribution and habitat

Sapindaceae species are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They are particularly diverse in South America and Madagascar. A few species, such as Acer (maple) and Aesculus (horse chestnut and buckeye), are found in temperate zones.

Uses

Many species in the Sapindaceae family have economic importance. For example, Litchi chinensis (lychee), Dimocarpus longan (longan), and Nephelium lappaceum (rambutan) are cultivated for their edible fruit. Paullinia cupana (guaraná) is used to produce a stimulant drink. Acer saccharum (sugar maple) is tapped for its sap, which is boiled down to produce maple syrup.

See also

• List of Sapindaceae genera

References

Sapindaceae Resources
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