ACERACEAE
NB In APG IV Aceraceae is treated as a synonym of Sapindaceae
Morphological description
Trees, exstipulate.
Leaves decussate, simple, entire, usually glaucous beneath, 3-5 basal nerves.
Flowers
Unisexual; sepals and petals (4 or 5) usually free. Corolla actinomorphic, disk present; stamens 8; ovary superior, 2-locular, 2 ovules per cell.
Fruit
Fruit a double samara.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy):
leaves glaucous (p.p.), petiole swollen apically (p.p.), young leaves red, leaf with domatia (p.p.), leaves withering red, fruit winged.
Different from: Although the family is allied to Sapindaceae confusion is not likely, since these have the leaves spiral, usually pinnate.
Distribution: The only genus, Acer, is a northern hemisphere genus, 1 species is endemic in Malesian (Sumatra-Sulawesi, Philippines) montane rain forest.
Literature :S. Bloembergen, Fl. Males. I, 4 (1948) 3-4.
Illustrations Malesian seed plants, Portraits of tree families: Fig. 1. S. Bloembergen, Fl. Males. I, 4 (1948) 3-4 Acer laurinum colour f.1.pct [Acer laurinum, line drawing, habit, flower, fruit]
Search for image in PhytoImages of Aceraceae