Difference between revisions of "Sapindaceae"

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{{Taxobox
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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
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| color = lightgreen
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| name = ''Sapindaceae''
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| name = Soapberry family
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| common_names = Soapberry family
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| image = Lychee.jpg
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| color = IndianRed
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| image_width = 240px
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| image = Dimocarpus longan males F 070203 035 ime ed.jpg
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| image_caption = ''Litchi chinensis'' leaves and fruit
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| image_width = 240px   <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| image_caption = Longan fruits
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| regnum = Plantae
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
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| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
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| type_genus = ''[[Sapindus]]''
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| ordo = Sapindales
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| type_genus_authority= [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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| familia = Sapindaceae
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| familia = '''Sapindaceae'''
 
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| familia_authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]
 
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| subdivision_ranks = Genera
 
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| subdivision = Over a hundred, see [[List of Sapindaceae genera]]
 
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Inc|
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Sapindaceae (from the genus Sapindus, a contraction of the Latin sapo-indicus, Indian soap). Soap-Berry Family. Fig. 35. Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs, often climbing: leaves usually alternate, mostly compound, sometimes ternately, sometimes pinnately decompound: flowers unisexual or polygamous, regular or irregular (i.e. obliquely unsymmetrical), small; sepals 4-5, imbricated or rarely valvate; petals 4-5, small or wanting, usually with scales or hairs at the base inside: disk well developed, situated between the petals and the stamens (extrastaminal) ; stamens usually 10 in 2 whorls, more or less united at the base; ovary superior, mostly 3-celled and deeply 3-lobed; ovules typically 1 in each cell; style 1: fruit very diverse, a firm or bladdery capsule, a berry, nut, or winged fruit; seeds without endosperm.
  
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'''Sapindaceae''', also known as the '''soapberry family''', is a [[family (biology)|family]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the order [[Sapindales]]. There are about 140-150 genera with 1400-2000 species.
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The 118 genera and about 1,000 species are of tropical distribution. Only one species reaches northward as far as Kansas. The family is closely related to the Staphyleaceae, Hippocastanaceae, and Aceraceae, which see for differences; and more distantly to the Celastraceae. The small flowers, usually appendaged petals, 10 stamens, extra-staminal disk, and 3-celled, few-seeded fruit are usually distinctive.
  
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Sapindaceae members occur in temperate to tropical regions throughout the world. Many are lactiferous, i.e. they contain milky sap, and many contain mildly [[toxic]] [[saponin]]s ([[alkaloid]]s with [[soap]]-like qualities) in either the foliage and/or the seeds. The largest genera are ''[[Serjania]]'', ''[[Paullinia]]'', ''[[Maple|Acer]]'' and ''[[Allophyllus]]''.
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The climbing Sapindaceae often have very peculiar stems in which many separate cambium rings have taken part. This renders the cross-section very peculiar, making it appear sometimes as a bundle of woody ropes tied together, with bark between them.
  
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The largely temperate genera formerly separated in the families [[Aceraceae]] (''Acer'', ''[[Dipteronia]]'') and [[Hippocastanaceae]] (''[[Aesculus]]'', ''[[Billia]]'', ''[[Handeliodendron]]'') were included within a more broadly circumscribed Sapindaceae by the [[Angiosperm Phylogeny Group| APG]]. Recent research has confirmed the inclusion of these genera in Sapindaceae.<ref name="singh">{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Gurjaran |title=Plant Systematics: An Integrated Approach |year=2004 |publisher=Science Publishers |location=Enfield, New Hampshire |isbn=1-57808-342-7| pages=pp. 438-440}}</ref><ref name="harrington">{{cite journal |last=Harrington |first=Mark G. |coauthors=Karen J. Edwards, Sheila A. Johnson, Mark W. Chase & Paul A. Gadek |year=2005 |title=Phylogenetic inference in Sapindaceae ''sensu lato'' using plastid ''mat''K and ''rbc''L DNA sequences. |journal=Systematic Botany |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=366-382 |doi=10.1600/0363644054223549}}</ref>
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The Sapindaceae are of considerable economic importance. The fruits of many are used locally for food, sometimes the flesh of the fruit, sometimes the aril being of importance. The seeds of Sapindus and other genera are often roasted and eaten as food. Oil is obtained from the seeds of others. Some are used locally for medicine. The seeds and other parts of many species are very poisonous, the fruits of species of Sapindus being used to poison fish. The juice of Paullinia pinnata (cururu) is used by savages in Guiana to poison their arrows. The Lechcheuquana bee collects honey from Serjania lethalis which, when eaten even in small quantities, produces raving madness or even death. The bark and berries of many species (e.g., the soap tree, Sapindus) contain saponin which reacts like soap, on which account they are used for washing. Yellow and black dyes, used as cosmetics, are obtained from certain species. The very hard wood of certain Sapindaceae is much prized for timber. The hard, spherical, black seeds of Sapindus Saponaria are strung as beads.
  
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==Characteristics==
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There are 15 or more genera of true Sapindaceae grown in America. Koelreuteria (Varnish Tree) is hardy and ornamental. Cardiospermum (Balloon Vine) is a tender annual with queer fruit. Xanthoceras is a hardy ornamental tree. Paullinia is a greenhouse climbing shrub. The following are grown only in the southern states or California: Greyia; Melicocca (Spanish Lime); Blighia (Akee Tree); Dodonaea; Ungnadia (Mexican or Spanish Buckeye); Sapindus (Soapberry).
  
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Plants of this family have a variety of habits, from [[tree]]s to [[herbaceous plant]]s or [[liana]]s. Their leaves usually spirally alternate, sometimes (in ''Acer, Aesculus'', and a few other genera) opposite. They are most often [[leaf shape|pinnately compound]], sometimes palmately, or just palmate (''Acer'', ''Aesculus''), with a [[petiole]] lacking [[stipule]]s, but having a swollen base.<ref name="singh"/>
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The following cultivated genera are now referred to other families: Melianthus (Melianthaceae); Aesculus (Hippocastanaceae); Acer (Aceraceae); Ptaeroxylon (Meliaceae); Staphylea (Staphyleaceae); Euscaphis (Staphyleaceae) ; Turpinia (Staphyleaceae).{{SCH}}
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}}
  
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[[Flower]]s are small and [[unisexual]], or functionally unisexual, though plants may be either [[dioecy|dioecious]] or monoecious. They are usually grouped in [[inflorescence|cyme]]s grouped in [[panicle]]s. They most often have four or five [[petal]]s and [[sepal]]s (petals are absent in ''[[Dodonaea]]''). The [[stamen]]s range from four to ten, usually on a [[nectar disc]] between the petals and stamen,their filaments are often hairy. The most frequent number is eight, in two rings of four. The [[gynoecium]] contains two or three [[carpel]]s, sometimes up to six. There is usually only one [[style]] with a lobed [[stigma]]. Most often [[pollination|pollinated]] by birds or insects,with a few species pollinated by wind.<ref name="singh"/>
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==Genera==
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See: [[List of Sapindaceae genera]]
  
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The [[fruit]]s are fleshy or dry,. They may be [[nut]]s, [[berries]], [[drupe]]s, [[schizocarp]]s, [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]]s (''[[Bridgesia]]''), or [[samara (fruit)|samara]]s (''Acer''). The embryos are bent or coiled, without [[endosperm]] in the seed, but frequently with an [[aril]].<ref name="singh"/>
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==Gallery==
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
  
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==Classification==
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<gallery>
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Sapindaceae are related to [[Rutaceae]], and both are usually placed in an order [[Sapindales]] or [[Rutales]], depending on whether they are kept separate and which name is used for the order.<ref name="singh"/> The most [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] member appears to be ''[[Xanthoceras]]''. Some authors maintain some or all of [[Hippocastanaceae]] and [[Aceraceae]], although this may result in [[paraphyly]].<ref name="singh"/><ref name="harrington"/> The former [[Ptaeroxylaceae]], now placed in Rutaceae, were sometimes placed in Sapindaceae.<ref>{{cite web|author=Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J.| year=2007| title=Sapindaceae Juss.|work=The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval |url= http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/sapindac.htm |accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> The family is divided in 5 or 6 subfamily depending on treatment.
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Image:Lychee.jpg| Litchi chinensis leaves and fruit
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
  
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==Notable species==
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==References==
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{{seealso|List of Sapindaceae genera}}
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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[[Image:Dimocarpus longan males F 070203 035 ime ed.jpg|thumb|right|Longan fruits.]]
 
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Sapindaceae includes many species of economically valuable tropical [[fruit]], including the [[lychee]], the [[longan]], the [[Talisia esculenta|pitomba]], the [[korlan]], the [[rambutan]], the [[mamoncillo]] and the [[ackee]]. Other products include [[Guarana]], [[Soapberry|soapberries]] and [[maple syrup]].
 
  
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Some species of [[Maple]] and [[Buckeye]] are valued for their wood, while several other genera, such as ''[[Koelreuteria]]'', ''[[Cardiospermum]]'' and ''[[Ungnadia]]'', are popular ornamentals. ''[[Schleichera trijuga]]'' is the source of Indian [[macassar oil]].
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
  
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==References==
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{{stub}}
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{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
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[[Category:Plant families]]
 
[[Category:Sapindales]]
 
[[Category:Sapindales]]
 
[[Category:Sapindaceae| ]]
 
[[Category:Sapindaceae| ]]
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[[Category:Plant families]]
 

Latest revision as of 19:16, 13 May 2009


Longan fruits


Plant Characteristics
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Sapindaceae >



Read about Sapindaceae in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Sapindaceae (from the genus Sapindus, a contraction of the Latin sapo-indicus, Indian soap). Soap-Berry Family. Fig. 35. Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs, often climbing: leaves usually alternate, mostly compound, sometimes ternately, sometimes pinnately decompound: flowers unisexual or polygamous, regular or irregular (i.e. obliquely unsymmetrical), small; sepals 4-5, imbricated or rarely valvate; petals 4-5, small or wanting, usually with scales or hairs at the base inside: disk well developed, situated between the petals and the stamens (extrastaminal) ; stamens usually 10 in 2 whorls, more or less united at the base; ovary superior, mostly 3-celled and deeply 3-lobed; ovules typically 1 in each cell; style 1: fruit very diverse, a firm or bladdery capsule, a berry, nut, or winged fruit; seeds without endosperm.

The 118 genera and about 1,000 species are of tropical distribution. Only one species reaches northward as far as Kansas. The family is closely related to the Staphyleaceae, Hippocastanaceae, and Aceraceae, which see for differences; and more distantly to the Celastraceae. The small flowers, usually appendaged petals, 10 stamens, extra-staminal disk, and 3-celled, few-seeded fruit are usually distinctive.

The climbing Sapindaceae often have very peculiar stems in which many separate cambium rings have taken part. This renders the cross-section very peculiar, making it appear sometimes as a bundle of woody ropes tied together, with bark between them.

The Sapindaceae are of considerable economic importance. The fruits of many are used locally for food, sometimes the flesh of the fruit, sometimes the aril being of importance. The seeds of Sapindus and other genera are often roasted and eaten as food. Oil is obtained from the seeds of others. Some are used locally for medicine. The seeds and other parts of many species are very poisonous, the fruits of species of Sapindus being used to poison fish. The juice of Paullinia pinnata (cururu) is used by savages in Guiana to poison their arrows. The Lechcheuquana bee collects honey from Serjania lethalis which, when eaten even in small quantities, produces raving madness or even death. The bark and berries of many species (e.g., the soap tree, Sapindus) contain saponin which reacts like soap, on which account they are used for washing. Yellow and black dyes, used as cosmetics, are obtained from certain species. The very hard wood of certain Sapindaceae is much prized for timber. The hard, spherical, black seeds of Sapindus Saponaria are strung as beads.

There are 15 or more genera of true Sapindaceae grown in America. Koelreuteria (Varnish Tree) is hardy and ornamental. Cardiospermum (Balloon Vine) is a tender annual with queer fruit. Xanthoceras is a hardy ornamental tree. Paullinia is a greenhouse climbing shrub. The following are grown only in the southern states or California: Greyia; Melicocca (Spanish Lime); Blighia (Akee Tree); Dodonaea; Ungnadia (Mexican or Spanish Buckeye); Sapindus (Soapberry).

The following cultivated genera are now referred to other families: Melianthus (Melianthaceae); Aesculus (Hippocastanaceae); Acer (Aceraceae); Ptaeroxylon (Meliaceae); Staphylea (Staphyleaceae); Euscaphis (Staphyleaceae) ; Turpinia (Staphyleaceae).CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Genera

See: List of Sapindaceae genera

Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

  • Litchi chinensis leaves and fruit

  • photo 1

  • photo 2

  • photo 3

References

External links

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