Flacourtia family
Description
A family of tropical trees, occasionally with prickly stems and branches (Flacourtiaceae 1).
The leaves are alternate or opposite, simple, entire or dentate. The flowers are small, regular, unisexual or bisexual, borne in terminal or axillary inflorescences, their parts are free, variable in number, with numerous stamens and usually a superior ovary. The fruit is a capsule, berry or drupe.
There are 88 genera.
Use
The family yields chaulmoogra oil, formerly used in India to cure lepra, and some edible fruits.
Described species
Flacourtia indica, governor’s plum, Madagascar plum
Flacourtia inermis, batako plum, see Flacourtia indica
Dovyalis hebecarpa, Ceylon gooseberry, ketembilla, see Flacourtia indica