Sapindaceae

=Family description=
 * Trees, shrubs or lianas, rarely herbaceous climbers**.
 * Leaves** spirally arranged, rarely opposite or whorled, usually compound; pseudostipules sometimes present, leaf rachis ending in a terminal tip.
 * Inflorescences** axillary, pseudoterminal, terminal or ramiflorous; thyrsoid or paniculate; cymes 1- to many-flowered.
 * Flowers** usually small and unisexual, radially or bilaterally symmetric. Sepals 4--5, free or connate, equal to unequal. Petals absent or 2--6, free, usually clawed, often with 1 or 2 scales or auricles at the inner side, scales crested or not. Disc around the stamens, complete or interrupted. Stamens 5--10 (--74), usually 8. Ovary superior, 1--3 (--8)-celled, style 1, stigma 1 with 2 or 3 lines or grooves or 1--3-lobed.
 * Fruit** a capsule, drupe, schizocarp or berry, sometimes winged. Seeds frequently with an arillode or a sarcotesta.

=General info=
 * Distribution** Widespread in (sub)tropical regions of the world, about 140 genera with about 1350 species. In Malesia 42 genera with c. 235 species.
 * Ecology** Understorey to mid-canopy trees, usually in closed forests.
 * Uses** Many fruit species, like //Dimocarpus longan// (longan), //Litchi chinensis// (litchi, lichee), //Nephelium lappaceum// (rambutan) (seed envelopes eaten); ornamentals //Filicium decipiens//, //Koelreuteria// sp. (street trees). The wood of several species is used for timber. Various species are used as medicine, vegetables, soap or fish poison.
 * Similar to** May be confused with Anacardiaceae, Burseraceae and Meliaceae which all have intrastaminal discs. Anacardiaceae have black sap, Burseraceae have drupaceous fruits with fleshy pericarps, Meliaceae have the stamens united in a short or long tube.

=Treated genera=
 * Harpullia
 * Litchi
 * Nephelium
 * Pometia

Harpullia sp

Litchi chinensis

Nephelium lappaceum

Pometia pinnata