home   about   search

biodiversity explorer

the web of life in southern Africa

Order: Sapindales

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid II

Seven of the nine families are encountered in southern Africa. Of the 471 genera and 6070 species, 67 genera and 510 species are native to southern Africa, seven genera and nine species are naturalised, and an additional 50 genera and 103 species are cultivated in the region.

Families encountered in southern Africa

Anacardiaceae (mango, pepper tree, pistachio, cashew)

About 70 genera and 600 species, native mainly to the warmer regions of the world but also in some temperate regions. There are 13 genera and 113 species native to southern Africa, an additional three genera and four species naturalised, and an additional 10 genera and 22 species that are cultivated in the region.

Burseraceae (frankincense and myrrh family)

About 16 genera and 500 species (mainly tropics), with one genus, Commiphora, and 40 species native to southern Africa and a further genus and species cultivated in the region.

Kirkiaceae

Two genera and six species (Africa and Madgascar); one genus, Kirkia, and three species are native to southern Africa.

Meliaceae (mahoganies)

Fifty-two genera and 621 species, mainly tropical in distribution. Nine genera and 21 species native to southern Africa, an additional three genera and three species are naturalised, and an additional eight genera and 10 species are cultivated in the region.

Rutaceae (the citrus fruit family)

About 161 genera and 1815 species (worldwide), with 23 genera and 298 species native to southern Africa, one genus and species naturalised, and an additional 20 genera and 33 species cultivated in the region.

Sapindaceae (litchi, maple and horse chestnut family)

About 135 genera and 1580 species nearly worldwide in distribution, with 20 genera and 35 species native to southern Africa, one species naturalised and an additional nine genera and 35 species cultivated in the region. Included are members of the former families Aceraceae and Hippocastanaceae.

Simaroubaceae

Nineteen genera and ninety-five species with a pantropical distribution, extending a little into temperate regions. Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-heaven, Hemelboom) and Picrasma excelsa (Quassia, Bitter ash) are cultivated in the region.

Families not encountered in southern Africa

Biebersteiniaceae, Nitrariaceae