Dichapetalaceae

plant family

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Dichapetalaceae is a family of trees and lianas, with approximately 160 species across three genera. The largest genus, Dichapetalum, includes about 130 species, many of which are highly poisonous due to containing fluoroacetic acid. This family is found pantropically, with a few species of Dichapetalum in Malesia.1

Key characteristics of Dichapetalaceae include:
* Leaves that often have glands on the lower surface and lack teeth.1
* Inflorescences that typically arise from the leaf stalk rather than leaf axils.1
* Small flowers with deeply two-lobed petals that dry black.1
* A flattened or lobed drupe fruit, with one seed per chamber.1

The genus Dichapetalum is the type genus for the family.2

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Malpighiales
The Chrysobalanaceae group
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 raised glands on…
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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 raised glands on…
Read More