Lecythidales

(botany) A monofamilial order of dicotyledonous tropical woody plants in the subclass Dilleniidae; distinguished by entire leaves, valvate sepals, separate petals, numerous centrifugal stamens, and a syncarpous, inferior ovary with axile placentation.

An order of flowering plants, division Magnoliophyta (Angiospermae), in the subclass Dilleniidae of the class Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons). The order consists of the single family Lecythidaceae, with about 400 species. They are tropical, woody plants with alternate, entire leaves, valvate sepals, separate petals, numerous centrifugal stamens, and a syncarpous, inferior ovary with axile placentation. Brazil nuts are the seeds of Bertholletia excelsa, a member of the Lecythidaceae. See also Brazil nut; Dilleniidae; Magnoliophyta.

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