Soapberry family
Description
A family of shrubs, trees and some climbers, occurring in the tropics and subtropics (Sapindaceae 1).
The alternate leaves are simple or pinnate. The flowers are regular or irregular, and unisexual, usually with 5 free sepals and petals. Stamens in two whorls of 5, often 2 missing; the ovary is superior. The fruit is very variable: a capsule, nut, drupe or berry. Seeds often with an aril.
There are about 150 genera.
Use
Some genera yield edible fruits, e.g. litchi, akee and rambutan, of which the fleshy aril is eaten. The family also yields makassaor oil, which is used in ointments.
Described species
Blighia sapida, akee
Litchi chinensis, litchi
Nephelium lappaceum, rambutan
Nephelium longana, longan, see Nephelium lappaceum
Nephelium mutabile, palusan, see Nephelium lappaceum
Melicocca bijuga, mamoncillo, see Nephelium lappaceum