MELIACEAE Meaning and
Definition
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Meliaceae, also known as the Mahogany family, is a family of flowering plants that belong to the order Sapindales. The family includes approximately 50 genera and about 550 known species of trees, shrubs, and sometimes climbers. Meliaceae is distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Members of the Meliaceae family are characterized by their alternate, pinnately compound leaves, which are typically arranged in a spiral pattern. The leaflets are usually smooth-edged and have various shapes, ranging from lanceolate to elliptical. Their flowers are usually small and bisexual, with five petals, and are commonly arranged in panicles or spikes. The fruit is typically a capsule or berry, containing one or several seeds.
One of the most well-known members of the Meliaceae family is the mahogany tree (genus Swietenia), which is highly prized for its durable reddish-brown timber. The wood is commonly used in fine furniture and cabinetry, as well as for boat-building and flooring. Other commercially important plants in the family include the neem tree (genus Azadirachta), which is used for its medicinal properties and insect-repellent qualities, and the Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), which is also valued for its timber and essential oils.
In addition to their economic importance, many species within the Meliaceae family have traditional medicinal uses, particularly in folk medicine. Some plants in the family produce bioactive compounds, such as azadirachtin, which has insecticidal and pesticidal properties.
Common Misspellings for MELIACEAE
Etymology of MELIACEAE
The word "Meliaceae" comes from the scientific name of a family of flowering plants called Meliaceae. The name Meliaceae itself originated from the genus name "Melia", which is derived from the Greek word "melía" meaning "ash tree". The suffix "-aceae" is a botanical term used to indicate that the word refers to a family of plants. Therefore, "Meliaceae" denotes the family of plants to which the genus Melia belongs.
Similar spelling words for MELIACEAE
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