Humiriaceae

plant family

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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Humiriaceae is a family of tropical trees and shrubs, with most species found in the Neotropics and some in West Africa. This family includes about 50 species across 8 genera, such as Vantanea, Humiriastrum, and Humiria. The flowers are distinctive, with stamens that are fused into a tube and have prolongations at their tips. The fruit is a drupe containing one or two seeds and has a ridged stone. Notably, the wood of Humiria can develop a beautiful scent after fungal attack, making it suitable for incense. Some fruits within the Humiriaceae family are also edible.1

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Malpighiales
Ungrouped families
Humiriaceae includes 8 genera and about 50 species of evergreen trees. Most, including Vantanea (16 species), Humiriastrum (12 species), and Humiria (4 species), grow in the Neotropics, but Saccoglottis (8 species) also grows in West Africa. The flowers are rather small but distinctive. The stamens…
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Humiriaceae includes 8 genera and about 50 species of evergreen trees. Most, including Vantanea (16 species), Humiriastrum (12 species), and Humiria (4 species), grow in the Neotropics, but Saccoglottis (8 species) also grows in West Africa. The flowers are rather small but distinctive. The stamens…
Read More