Myristicaceae

=Family description=
 * Trees or shrubs** with red sap.
 * Leaves** simple, in two rows, often with stellate or dendroid hairs creating a whitish lower leaf surface; margin entire; stipules absent.
 * Inflorescences** axillary, paniculate or racemose (capitulate, umbellate, etc.).
 * Flowers** unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants), small. Tepals 3(-5), basally connate. Stamens many, filaments united into a column. Ovary superior, 1-locular, style very short or lacking, stigma 2-lobed.
 * Fruit** a more or less woody capsule, dehiscing with 2 valves. Seed with large, fleshy, dissected or entire aril, usually red, endosperm ruminate.

=General info=
 * Distribution** About 19 genera with c. 400 species, widespread in (sub)tropical lowland, regions of the world.
 * Ecology** Understorey to mid-canopy trees in closed forests.
 * Uses** Timber (//Horsfieldia// spp., //Myristica// spp.); Spices like nutmeg (//Myristica fragrans//).
 * Similar to** The Myristicaceae may be confused with Annonaceae, but can be distinguished by the fruits and the red sap.

=Treated genera=
 * Horsfieldia
 * Knema

Myristicaceae.pdf

Horsfieldia grandis

Knema laurina