Campnosperma Genus

Campnosperma is a genus of tropical rainforest trees belonging to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, in the order Sapindales. The genus comprises around 14 accepted species of medium to large evergreen trees distributed across a wide pantropical range that spans the East Indies, south and southeast Asia, the Pacific island groups, and the Seychelles. As members of Anacardiaceae — the family that also includes mangoes, cashews, and sumacs — Campnosperma trees share the family's characteristic resinous tissues and typically bear simple, alternate leaves with small flowers arranged in panicles. The genus name alludes to the winged or keeled fruit (from Greek kampnos, relating to a curved or arched shape, combined with sperma, seed). Several species are valued for their lightweight timber, used in traditional construction and boatbuilding across the Indo-Pacific region. Notable members include Campnosperma auriculatum, Campnosperma zeylanicum of Sri Lanka, Campnosperma panamense — one of the few New World representatives — and Campnosperma montanum, found at higher elevations in New Guinea.