Chrysobalanaceae

plant family

Also known as: coco plum family

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The Chrysobalanaceae is a family of woody evergreen plants, primarily found in the Neotropics. This family is part of the Malpighiales order and is closely related to other families like Trigoniaceae and Dichapetalaceae.1

Key characteristics of Chrysobalanaceae include:
* Leaves that are typically arranged in two ranks and may be dry or have prominent, ladder-like veins.1
* Flowers that have a floral tube, often with numerous stamens. The ovary is positioned on one side of the tube, with the style emerging near the base.1
* A single-seeded fruit that is usually quite large.1

Prominent genera within Chrysobalanaceae include Licania, Hirtella, Couepia, and Parinari, with species distributed across the Americas, East Africa, and Madagascar. Some members of related families, like Dichapetalaceae, can be highly poisonous due to fluoroacetic acid.1

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Malpighiales
The Chrysobalanaceae group
In Chrysobalanaceae, Balanopaceae, Trigoniaceae, Dichapetalaceae, and Euphroniaceae, each ovary chamber usually has only two ovules, and the seeds have at most slight endosperm. Within this group, Chrysobalanaceae, Trigoniaceae, Dichapetalaceae, and Euphroniaceae are especially close. All have leaf margins that lack teeth; there are often flat, rarely…
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In Chrysobalanaceae, Balanopaceae, Trigoniaceae, Dichapetalaceae, and Euphroniaceae, each ovary chamber usually has only two ovules, and the seeds have at most slight endosperm. Within this group, Chrysobalanaceae, Trigoniaceae, Dichapetalaceae, and Euphroniaceae are especially close. All have leaf margins that lack teeth; there are often flat, rarely…
Read More