Lecythidaceae | |
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Flower of Barringtonia asiatica (futu) on Tongatapu | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Lecythidaceae A.Rich.[1] |
Genera | |
See text |
The Lecythidaceae (/ˌlɛsɪθɪˈdeɪʃiː/ LESS-ith-ih-DAY-shee) comprise a family of about 20 genera and 250–300 species of woody plants native to tropical South America, Africa (including Madagascar), Asia and Australia.
The most important member of the family in world trade is the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), valued for its edible nuts; the paradise nut (Lecythis species) is also eaten.