Altingiaceae Horan.

Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Morphology General Habit

Trees, sometimes up to 40 m tall, deciduous, monoecious; secretory canals containing aromatic, resinous compounds present in the bark, wood and leaves; sapwood white; indumentum simple, only present in axils of leaf nervation, otherwise glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, spiraling, long petiolate simple, palmately 3-7 lobed, margins finely serrate, dentate or rarely entire, venation palmate, actinodromous; stipules small, deciduous, borne on the petiole base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences indeterminate, long pedunculate; staminate inflorescences of terminal racemes composed of stamen clusters; pistillate inflorescences axillary, pendent globose heads

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, unisexual or andro- monoecious, actinomorphic, sessile, inconspicuous; perianth lacking in male flowers and with 12-50 rudimentary, tepaloid lobes or scales in female flowers; stamens (1-)4-10(-100), anthers basifixed, opening by longitudinal slits; ovary (semi)inferior, syncarpous, carpels 2 and free at apex, bi-locular, styles 2, persistent, each with a stigma

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit made up of globose septicidal capsules, capsules from whole inflorescence often forming a multiple fruit c. 3cm in diam., armed by hardened styles; exocarp leathery; endocarp bony

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, ovoid, winged, hard, drying orangey-cream.

Note

Notes on delimitation: Previously part of the Hamamelidaceae. Treated as a separate family due to both distinct morphological characters and DNA sequences (Ickert-Bond et al. 2005; Ickert-Bond & Wen 2006). Placed in the Saxifragales in a clade with Paeoniaceae, Hamamelidaceae, Cercidiphyllaceae and Daphniphyllaceae (APG2, 2003). Number of genera: One: Liquidambar L. (one species - L. styraciflua L.).  The other genus in Altingiaceae is Altingia Lindl.Nor. which has an East Asian and Malesian distribution. Wind pollinated and dispersed. Self-incompatible. Valuable as a furniture and timber tree. Popular ornamental trees in temperate areas due to large leaves which turn brilliant reds in Autumn. and the sweet smelling spring flowers. Used as an incense and flavouring. The other genus in Altingiaceae is Altingia Lindl.Nor. which has an East Asian and Malesian distribution.

Distribution

México to Nicaragua. Common in Pinus L. and Quercus L. forests. Found at 800-2,100m above sea level. Cool upland regions, moist or wet often mixed forest mostly on mountain sides or along streams. Can be a dominant tree especially in the Coban forests of Guatemala. Native

Diagnostic

Distinguishing characters (always present): Deciduous trees. Resin canals. Leaves alternate and spiraling. Palmately lobedlamina. Flowers small and rudimentary. Perianth members absent. Anthers basifixed. Inferior ovary. Gynoecium 2-merous. Multiple, heavily-armed fruit. Wingedseed. Tall and spire-like crowns. Fresh, bright, verdant foliage makes them noticeable in spring.  Stipulate (caducous). Key differences from similar families: Resembles Casuarinaceae in fruit but differs in leaf form (Casuarinaceae have reduced needle-like leaves). Hamameliaceae have stipules borne on the stem adjacent to the petiole (vs. borne on the petiole base) and no resin canals nor spirally arranged leaves.