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Family:

Myristicaceae (Magnoliophyta)

Accepted Name:

This name is currently accepted.

Description:

Number of genera: 15

Number of species: 300

Description (from PLANTAE): Large or small trees, sometimes shrubs, usually evergreen; lateral branches horizontal and verticellate; trunk exudate reddish, stem exudate pale red to translucent, ethereal oil cells present, the crushed leaves and/or twigs emitting Ranalean odor; plants usually dioecious. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, entire, pinnately nerved. Inflorescences terminal, axillary or sometimes cauliflorous, racemes, corymbs or fasciculate. Flowers small, actinomorphic, tepals generally 3, uniseriate, fused at the base, greenish yellow, reflexed when open; stamens 3-many; ovary superior, 1-locular, the style short or absent, the stigma 2-lobed, the single ovule basal. Fruit dehiscent, 2- 4-valvate, the pericarp thick. Seeds 1 per fruit, large, usually surrounded by fleshy, red, pink or sometimes white, laciniate aril.

Taxonomic notes (from PLANTAE): Although the family is undoubtedly a member of the magnolialean complex, no plausible sister group has so far come to light. Some characters link it to the Annonaceae and Canellaceae (ruminate endosperm [Annonaceae] and monadelphous androecium [Canellaceae]. The Aristolochiaceae has also been suggested as a sister group.

Distribution (from PLANTAE): Pantropical, mainly in low-elevation rain forests

Economic uses (from PLANTAE): The bright, fleshy aril is attractive to birds and mammals who likely disperse the seeds. The culinary nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), originally from the Moluccas, is probably the most important economic product from the famlily. Some species are harvested for timber.

Chemistry notes (from PLANTAE): The "Ranalean odor" is produced by ethereal oil cells located in the leaves and twigs; it's turpentine or perfumy fragrance is one of the diognostic characters for the family.