The Lecythidaceae ( ) comprise a family of about 30 genera and 250–300 species of woody plants native to tropical South America, Africa (including Madagascar), Asia and Australia.

Well known members of the family include the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis) and the edible Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa).

Genera

30 genera are currently accepted.

• Allantoma

• Asteranthos

• Barringtonia

• Bertholletia

• Brazzeia

• Careya

• Cariniana

• Chydenanthus

• Chytroma

• Corythophora

• Couratari

• Couroupita

• Crateranthus

• Eschweilera

• Foetidia

• Grias

• Guaiania

• Gustavia

• Imbiriba

• Lecythis

• Napoleonaea

• Oubanguia

• Pachylecythis

• Petersianthus

• Pierrina

• Planchonia

• Rhaptopetalum

• Scottmoria

• Scytopetalum

• Waimiria

Taxonomy

According to molecular analysis of Lecythidaceae, including work by Mori et al. (2007), subfamilies include:

Barringtonioideae

Previously Barringtoniaceae; also sensu Takhtajan 1997; this subfamily was also called Planchonioideae (which included Barringtonia). Genera are restricted to the Old World tropics.

• Barringtonia J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (synonym Abdulmajidia Whitmore)

• Careya Roxb.

• Chydenanthus Miers

• Petersianthus Merr.

• Planchonia Blume

Foetidioideae

Previously Foetidiaceae from Madagascar is monogeneric:

• Foetidia Comm. ex Lam.

Lecythidoideae

Genera restricted to the New World tropics.

• Allantoma

• Bertholletia

• Cariniana

• Chytroma

• Corythophora

• Couratari

• Couroupita

• Eschweilera

• Grias

• Guaiania

• Gustavia

• Imbiriba

• Lecythis

• Pachylecythis

• Scottmoria

• Waimiria

Scytopetaloideae

The APG II system of 2003 included genera from the family Scytopetalaceae and others

• Asteranthos Desf., also as Asteranthaceae

• Brazzeia Verc.

• Oubanguia Baill.

• Pierrina Engl.

• Rhaptopetalum Oliv.

• Scytopetalum Engl.

Napoleonaeoideae

Previously as family Napoleonaeaceae; species are native to Africa.

• Crateranthus Baker f., incertae sedis according to Takhtajan,

• Napoleonaea P.Beauv.

References

External links

• Lecythidaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants. http://delta-intkey.com

• Barringtoniaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants. http://delta-intkey.com

• Foetidiaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants. http://delta-intkey.com

• Asteranthaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants. http://delta-intkey.com

• Napoleonaeaceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants. http://delta-intkey.com

• The Lecythidaceae Pages by Scott A. Mori and Ghillean T. Prance

• Toa Alta, Puerto Rico

• Lecythidaceae in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database

• Lecythidaceae Pages