Anacardiaceae
Genera : 60-80 Species: 600 +/-	Links to Genus Directory of Images: Anacardium Cotinus Malosma Mangifera Pistachio chinensis Rhus Spondias sp - fruit Toxicodendron Links to Dendrology Genus Directory of Images: Rhus Toxicodendron

Distribution: Pantropical, but with some genera in the north temperate regions.

Economic Uses: Important as source of many fruits and nuts including cashews, pistachios and mangos. Other genera are toxic to the skin such as poison ivy, oak and sumac. Also used as ornamentals and in leather tanning.

Defining Features of Interest: The family contains resin and resin canals.

Fossil Evidence: Fossil evidence from the Paleocene.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect or unisexual. Inflorescence a panicle of small flowers. Hypogynous, perigynous or epigynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a berry or drupe. Seeds are single with no endosperm present. Placentation is axile.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as shrubs, trees or lianas. Leaves are pinnately compound or trifoliate (rarely simple) and alternate (rarely opposite). Stipules are lacking.