Trees dioecious (sexes on separate trees) or sometimes monoecious. Leaves in two ranks; stipules amplexicaul (enclosing the bud). Inflorescences unisexual, sometimes bisexual, globose, borne in the leaf axils or on the older wood and branches. Pistillate (female) flowers lining the outer surface of a large receptacle (‘bread fruit’). Worldwide: A genus of 3 species in Africa and Madagascar. Malawi: 1 taxon. |