Greek alektryon — cock, referring to the cock’s-comb-like crest on the fruits of some species.

Trees. Leaves alternate, simple or evenly pinnate. Leaflets mostly opposite, lower ones generally smaller, margins entire or toothed. Flowers unisexual with both male and female flowers on the same tree. Flower clusters in the upper leaf axils. Flowers with a short calyx tube and mostly 4-6 lobes at the tip. Petals 0 or 4 or 5. Floral disk present. Stamens 5-10. Ovary of 2-4 chambers with 1 ovule in each chamber. Fruit 1-4-lobed with 1 seed per lobe.

Rainforest trees of moist gullies mostly grown in older botanic and public gardens and special collections.

34 species from Hawaii, Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand. Australia has 12 endemic species.

Fresh seed, occasionally by cuttings.

Lobed or winged, knob-like indehiscent fruits and cup-like aril.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Sapindaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.