Picrodendron

Picrodendron is a genus of flowering plants in the family Picrodendraceae. This genus is native to the Caribbean and the Neotropics. The genus was described by Stephen Elliott in 1821. The name Picrodendron comes from the Greek words pikros (bitter) and dendron (tree), referring to the bitter taste of the wood of some species.

Species within the Picrodendron genus are typically shrubs or small trees. They are characterized by their opposite or whorled leaves, which are often leathery. The flowers are usually unisexual, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants (dioecious) or on the same plant (monoecious). The fruits are typically capsules.

One notable species is Picrodendron baccatum, which is found in the West Indies. It is a shrub or small tree that has been used in traditional medicine in some regions. Another species, Picrodendron harveyanum, is also found in the Caribbean.

The family Picrodendraceae was established relatively recently, and Picrodendron is its type genus. Before this reclassification, species now placed in Picrodendron were often assigned to other families, such as Euphorbiaceae or Anacardiaceae. The genus is a subject of ongoing botanical research to better understand its phylogenetic relationships and ecological roles.