Putranjivaceae

Putrajiva, this name was applied to a tree from southern India which had medicinal properties. Mustard oils are present, these are rare outside the family Brassicaceae. They are shrubs or trees, leaves simple, usually alternate but often in 2-rows. Latex is absent. Flowers are unisexual in axillary clusters, petals absent. Ovary with 2 ovules per locule. Fruit are drupes usually with one mature seed per locule, caruncle absent. It is one of the families that has been separated from the Euphorbiaceae s. lat., and it maybe distinguished by the fruits, which are single-seeded drupes and the absence of latex.