The Simaroubaceae, also known as the quassia family, are a small, mostly tropical, family in the order
Sapindales. In recent decades, it has been subject to much taxonomic debate, with several small families being split off. A
molecular phylogeny of the family was published in 2007, greatly clarifying relationships within the family.
Together with chemical characteristics such as the occurrence of
petroselinic acid in ''Picrasma'', in contrast to other members of the family such as ''
Ailanthus
''Ailanthus'' (; derived from ''ailanto,'' an Ambonese Malay, Ambonese word probably meaning "tree of the gods" or "tree of heaven") is a genus of trees belonging to the family Simaroubaceae, in the order Sapindales (formerly Rutales or Geranial ...
'', this indicates the existence of a subgroup in the family with ''Picrasma'', ''Holacantha'', and ''
Castela''.
The best-known species is the temperate
Chinese tree-of-heaven ''
Ailanthus altissima
''Ailanthus altissima'' ( ), commonly known as tree of heaven or ailanthus tree, is a deciduous tree in the quassia family. It is native to northeast and central China, and Taiwan. Unlike other members of the genus ''Ailanthus'', it is found ...
'', which has become a
cosmopolitan weed
A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.Harlan, J. R., & deWet, J. M. (1965). Some thoughts about weeds. ''Economic botany'', ''19''(1), 16-24. Pla ...
tree of urban areas and wildlands.
Well-known genera in the family include the tropical ''
Quassia
''Quassia'' ( or ) is a plant genus in the family Simaroubaceae. Its size is disputed; some botanists treat it as consisting of only one species, '' Quassia amara'' from tropical South America, while others treat it in a wide circumscription as ...
'' and ''
Simarouba''.
It is known in English by the
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often con ...
s of the quassia family or ailanthus family.
Genera
20 genera are accepted:
*''
Ailanthus
''Ailanthus'' (; derived from ''ailanto,'' an Ambonese Malay, Ambonese word probably meaning "tree of the gods" or "tree of heaven") is a genus of trees belonging to the family Simaroubaceae, in the order Sapindales (formerly Rutales or Geranial ...
''
*†''
Ailanthophyllum''
*''
Brucea''
*''
Castela''
*''
Eurycoma''
*''
Gymnostemon''
*''
Hannoa
''Hannoa'' is a genus of plant in the family Simaroubaceae. Found in tropical parts of Africa.
Description
The genus consists of trees, shrubs or shrublets. They have leaves that are not crowded at the ends of the branches, imparipinnate. With l ...
''
*''
Homalolepis''
*''
Iridosma''
*''
Leitneria''
*''
Nothospondias''
*''
Odyendea''
*''
Perriera''
*''
Picrasma''
*''
Picrolemma''
*''
Pierreodendron''
*''
Quassia
''Quassia'' ( or ) is a plant genus in the family Simaroubaceae. Its size is disputed; some botanists treat it as consisting of only one species, '' Quassia amara'' from tropical South America, while others treat it in a wide circumscription as ...
''
*''
Samadera''
*''
Simaba''
*''
Simarouba''
*''
Soulamea''
Excluded genera
*''
Allantospermum'' →
Irvingiaceae
*''
Alvaradoa'' →
Picramniaceae
*''
Desbordesia'' →
Irvingiaceae
*''
Harrisonia'' →
Rutaceae
The Rutaceae () is a family (biology), family, commonly known as the rue[RUTACEAE](_blank)
in Bo ...
*''
Irvingia'' → Irvingiaceae
*''
Kirkia'' →
Kirkiaceae
*''
Klainedoxa'' → Irvingiaceae
*''
Picramnia'' → Picramniaceae
*''
Recchia'' →
Surianaceae
References
External links
{{Authority control
Sapindales families