Hippomane L.

Trees or shrubs with milky latex, glabrous; monoecious. Leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, with a single gland at junction with blade; stipules caducous; blade ovate-cordate, the base rounded, the margins bluntly serrate, the apex acute to short acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, spicate, bisexual. Staminate flowers clustered in several-flowered glomerules at the distal nodes, subtending bracts biglandular at base; calyx 2-3-lobed; apetalous; disc absent; stamens 2, the fila-ments connate, the anthers extrorse; pollen grains sub-globose, tectate, 3-colporate. Pistilliate flowers solitary at proximal nodes; calyx 3-parted; apetalous; disc absent; carpels 6-9, the styles simple, connate at base, spreading above, the ovary smooth with one ovule per locule. Fruit drupaceous, apple-like, red or yellow; seeds ovoid, compressed, ecarunculate.