TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993)	previous taxon | next taxon Jepson Interchange (more information)
	©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

BURSERACEAE

TORCHWOOD FAMILY

Niall F. McCarten

Trees, shrubs, dioecious or monoecious
Stem generally erect, < 15 m
Leaves simple or compound; cauline, generally alternate, deciduous, petioled; leaf axis often winged, glabrous to densely hairy
Inflorescence: panicle or flower solitary
Flower radial; disk ring- or cup-shaped; sepals 3–5; petals 0–5; stamens generally 1–2 X number of petals; ovary superior, chambers 2–5, style 0 or 1
Fruit: drupe or capsule; stones 1–5, each 1-seeded
Genera in family: 17 genera; 500 species: worldwide especially tropical; some cultivated (Boswellia, frankincense; Commiphora, myrrh; Bursera ).