Balanopaceae

views updated

Balanopaceae (order Fagales) A small family of dicotyledonous (Dicotyledoneae) trees and shrubs. The leaves are alternate or whorled. The flowers are simple; male flowers are borne in catkins on separate trees from the female flowers, which are solitary with scale-like perianths. The fruit is an acorn-like drupe. The family comprises 1 genus, with 9 species, native to Queensland and the south-western Pacific.