Mallotus is a genus of approximately 150 species of dioecious trees and shrubs belonging to the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, placed in the order Malpighiales. The genus was first formally described in 1790 and encompasses a wide ecological breadth across tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
The vast majority of species are native to East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and islands of the western Pacific. Only two species — Mallotus oppositifolius and Mallotus subulatus — extend into tropical Africa and Madagascar, making the genus predominantly an Old World tropical one.
Plants in the genus are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals. The roughly 150 accepted species range from small shrubs to medium-sized trees and are found across forest edges, secondary growth, and disturbed habitats throughout their range.
The best-known member is the Kamala tree (Mallotus philippensis), whose seed capsules yield a bright yellow powder known as Kamala dye, historically used as a textile dye and formerly employed as a herbal anthelmintic remedy. Several Mallotus species also serve as larval food plants for moths in the genus Endoclita and other Lepidoptera.
Distribution
Mallotus ranges across East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, eastern Australia, and western Pacific islands. Two species (M. oppositifolius and M. subulatus) reach tropical Africa and Madagascar; the remainder are confined to Asia and Australasia.
Taxonomy Notes
Mallotus was first described as a genus in 1790 and is placed in the family Euphorbiaceae, order Malpighiales. GBIF accepts it as a valid genus within that family (key 315155876) but does not record a named authorship at the genus level in its current backbone.
Cultural Uses
The Kamala tree (Mallotus philippensis) produces a red-yellow powder from its seed capsule glands known as Kamala, long used as a natural textile dye and as a traditional herbal remedy (formerly employed as an anthelmintic). Several species serve as larval host plants for Lepidoptera including Endoclita malabaricus.
