Carapa Aubl.

Trees of very variable habit and size. Leaves usually paripinnate and with an apical gland, or exceptionally imparipinnate, often crowded at the ends of stout branchlets. Flowers 4–5(–6)-merous, unisexual, in large much-branched panicles. Calyx small, lobed almost to the base; lobes imbricate. Petals 4–5(–6), slightly contorted, spreading in open flowers. Staminal tube urceolate, very similar to that of Khaya. Disk cushion-shaped, surrounding the base of the ovary and free from the staminal tube. Ovary 4–5(–6)-locular, with 2–8 ovules in each locule; style-head discoid with a crenulate margin. Fruit a large, pendulous, leathery, subglobose septifragal capsule, which falls from the tree entire and breaks open on striking the ground; columella poorly developed. Seeds large, usually about 12–20, subangular, with a woody but buoyant outer covering.