4428.010 Vernicia Lour.

Monoecious or ± dioecious trees with simple indumentum. Stipules present. Leaves alternate, entire or palmately-lobed (often together on same tree). Inflorescences. terminal, in the form of a thyrse; either male and female flowers in same inflorescence or inflorescences unisexual. Male flowers: calyx splitting into 2-3 lobes; petals 5, alternating with disk glands; stamens 8-14, inner united into a column. Female flowers: calyx, petals and disk as for male flowers; ovary 3(-5)-locular; styles 3(-5), erect. Fruit tardily dehiscent, shallowly 3(-5)-lobed.Similar to the genus Aleurites.

Worldwide: 3 species from E and SE Asia, two of which are commonly cultivated in tropical Africa and occur as rare escapes in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: 2 cultivated taxa.