Meliaceae

  

 

Genera : 50-51

Species: 550

 Links to Directory of Images:

 

Distribution: Pantropically, with many as rainforest understory trees or shrubs.

Economic Uses: As a source of oils used in soapmaking, as an insecticide and for ornamental and food species. The family is most well-known as the soruce of thehighly prized wood - mahogany.

Defining Features of Interest: The stamens of the flower in this family help to make it stand out from the other families in the order Sapindales.

Fossil Evidence:Microfossils in the Oligocene.