Picrodendraceae

Trees, shrubs or rarely a suffrutex; dioecious. Indumentum of simple hairs; stipules absent. Leaves compound; alternate, opposite or whorled; petiolate. Inflorescences axillary of solitary flowers, clusters or panicles. Male flowers actinomorphic; sepals (2)5-8, joined at the base; petals absent; stamens 4-12, free; pistillode minute or absent; disc present. Female flowers similar to male but without stamens; ovary superior with united carpels, 2-3 locular with 2 ovules per locule; styles 2-3, short, stigmas kidney-shaped. Fruit a capsule, dehiscent into 2-3 valves. Seeds 1-2 in each locule.

Comment: Genera in this family were formerly included in Euphorbiaceae sensu lato.

Worldwide: 25 genera and c. 95 species almost pantropical and subtropical with 4 genera in Africa.

Mozambique: 2 genera and 2 taxa.