Brucea
J .F. Miller, nom. cons.
Shrubs or small trees, very bitter; young parts pubescent. Leaves imparipinnate,
exstipulate, very large; leaflets 3 -
15, opposite, oblique, ovate to lanceolate, acuminate
at apex, entire or toothed along margins, with flat spot-like glands along margins
beneath. Flowers unisexual or bisexual, in long axillary panicles, 4-merous. Sepals 4,
small, ovate-elongate or 3-angular, connate at base, pubescent, imbricate in bud. Petals
4, free, small, ovate-oblong, oblong or linear, pubescent outside. Disk 4-lobed, cupular,
thick, glabrous. Stamens 4, inserted below disk; filaments short; anthers ovate-cordate.
Carpels 4, free, ovoid; styles free or coherent at base, recurved outwards over ovary;
stigma thick or club-shaped. Fruits of 1 -
4 free dry nuts, ovoid or ellipsoid, 2-ribbed;
seeds ovoid, solitary.
Asia and N. Australia with 6 species; 2 in India.
Asia and N. Australia with 6 species; 2 in India.
KEY TO THE SPECIES
| 1a. Leaflets bluntly serrate or crenate; lateral nerves nearly parallel; nuts ca 5 mm long with stalks 2 - 4 mm long when dry | 1. Brucea javanica |
| b. Leaflets usually entire; lateral nerves not parallel; nuts 10 - 12 mm long with stalks 2 - 4 mm long when dry | 2. Brucea mollis |
