Malpighiaceae

Malpighiaceae is a family of flowering plants within the order Malpighiales. This family includes about 1,250 species, primarily found as lianas and trees throughout tropical and subtropical regions, with a strong presence in the Neotropics.12

Key characteristics of Malpighiaceae members include:
* Opposite leaves, often lacking teeth.2
* Single-celled, T-shaped hairs, and frequently, glands on the leaves or petioles.2
* Flowers with four or five sepals, often bearing large paired glands. The petals are distinctly narrowed and stalked at the base, and crumpled in the bud. The flowers typically have three carpels, each containing a single ovule.2
* Pollination is often facilitated by bees, which collect waxes from the sepal glands.2
* The fruit is typically dry and can have a variable number of wings.2