Bombacaceae, Oxalidaceae and Geraniaceae

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Bombacaceae 
(Bombax family)

Bombax ceiba

A small family of about 22 genera and 180 species of exclusively arborescent or large sized trees, with large, thick and spreading branches. Bombacaceae are mainly distributed in tropical regions. Bombax malabaricum syn. Salmalia malbarica (Simbal) is very common in India whereas Durio zibethinus is indigenous to Malayan archipelago. 

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Adansonia digtata

    1. Fruits of Adansonia digitata provide us a good beverage.
    2. Wooly outgrowth present on the pericarp of the fruits of Bombax ceiba is used for stuffing pillows while the floss obtained from the seed hair of Ceiba pentandra is the source of  'Kapok'.
    3. The flower buds and fruits  of Bombax ceiba and  Durio zibethinus are edible. Root decoction of D. zibethinus is used for fever.
    4. World's lightest commercial wood with a specific gravity of only 0.12 is obtained from Ochroma lagoons and O. pyramidala.
    5. Wood obtained from Cullenia excelsa is used for making pencils, plywood, packing cases, etc.





Oxalidaceae 
(Wood sorrel family)

    



This family is treated as a tribe of Geraniaceae by Bentham and Hooker. Usually palmately compound leaves with a sour taste due to the presence of oxalic acid. The family includes only 8 genera and 900 species, distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Only a few species extend into temperate regions. Only 2 genera, Oxalis and Biophytum and a dozen species have so far been reported from India. Most common representative in India is Oxalis corniculata (Indian sorrel). Biophytum sensitivum is sensitive to touch like Mimosa pudica of Mimosoideae.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

The family is of little importance. 
    • The leaves of Oxalis (sour grass) are chewed by children for their pleasant sour taste due to oxalic acid. 
    • Tuberous roots of O. tuberosa are used as food in India and South America. 
    • Leaves of O. acetosella (common wood sorrel) are used as salads and 
    • stems of O. pescaprae as a vegetable. 
    • Ornamental plants of family include Oxalis articulata (bright pink or white flowers), O. deppei, O. hedysaroides and both the species of genus Averrhoa (evergreen trees). 
    • Biophytum sensitivum is sensitive to touch and grown in gardens.




Geraniaceae 
(Geranium family)



Geraniaceae is a family of about 11 genera and 780 species which are cosmopolitan in distribution and found widely in temperate and tropical regions. Only 3 genera and 25 species have been reported from India, mainly from Himalayas. Selected Indian genera are: Geranium and Pelargonium. They are mostly herbs sometimes under shrubs; sufferutescent or arborescent. well known 'geranium-oil' is distilled from Pelargonium odoratissimum.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

    1. Ornamental value of Geraniaceae is because of the beautiful and attractive flowers of several of its members including Pelargonium hortorum, P. zonale, Geranium wallichianum, G. pratense, Erodium circutarium, etc.
    2. Well-Known 'geranium oil' used in perfumery, is obtained from Pelargonium odoratissimum.
    3. Roots and leaves of Geranium robertianum are used in the treatment of diarrhoea whereas rootstocks of G. wallichianum are used in eye troubles. Roots and leaves of G. nepalense are used in treatment of kidney troubles.
    4. Several species of Erodium and Geranium are weedy.





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