Moraceae

Moraceae
Temporal range: Cretaceous – Recent,
Panama rubber tree (Castilla elastica)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Gaudich. (1835) nom. cons.
Genera

48; see text

Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species, and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family. Most are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates; however, their distribution is cosmopolitan overall. The only common characteristics within the family are the presence of latex-producing glands in the leaves and stems, and milky sap in the soft tissues; but generally useful field characters include two carpels sometimes with one reduced, compound inconspicuous flowers, and compound fruits. The family includes well-known plants such as the common fig, breadfruit, jackfruit and mulberry. The 'flowers' of Moraceae are often pseudanthia (reduced inflorescences).