Hippomane
Trees or shrubs, monoecious. Exudate (from cut stems) present, white. Unarmed*. Glabrous throughout. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves slightly crowded towards shoot tips, alternate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin toothed (teeth glandular?), blade not pellucid-punctate, with 1(–2?) disc-shaped gland(s) on upper surface at junction with petiole; venation pinnate; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent*. Petiole present, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, with 1(–2?) disc-shaped gland(s) at junction with leaf blade. Inflorescence with axis, terminal, raceme-like, with 1 – 2 female flowers at base, many male flowers above, the male part of the inflorescence often falling away later; bracts with a pair of flattened to disc-shaped glands, not leaf-like*, green; pedicels absent or present, not articulated*. Male flowers: almost sessile in bud, later with short pedicel; sepals 2, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; stamens 2, partially to almost completely fused; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae extrorse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: almost sessile; sepals 3–4, free, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; ovary locules 6–9, ovules per locule 1; styles 6–9, completely fused into a short column (styles free*), stigmas not flat*, free*, entire, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit indehiscent, large, apple-like, not sculptured, greenish to brown; seed without appendage, covering or membraneous layer*, not fleshy; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
World Checklist: 3 spp.
Distribution: Mexico; Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama; Caribbean: Aruba, Bahamas, Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Trinidad–Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.; Southern America: Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Galápagos. Also Southeastern U.S.A.