pronounced: kloo-zee-AY-see-eye
Clusia, the type genus, was named for Charles de l’Ecluse, 16th century Dutch botanist. His name was latinized to Carolus Clusius. Members of the family are trees or shrubs having entire leaves, opposite or whorled, without stipules, but with glands and/or canals. They all give out a viscous exudate, white to yellow, or clear. The flowers are radially symmetrical, with separate petals, many stamens (often variously fused) and a superior ovary. The fruit may be a berry, drupe or capsule. Most have a tendency to form adventitious roots. One feature which is sometimes found in this family, but only rarely in others, is providing pollinators with rewards other than nectar or pollen; for instance, some species offer resin which bees use in nest construction.
