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Reference · Crops

Anacardiaceae

The Anacardiaceae family, commonly known as the cashew or sumac family, consists of around 80 genera and over 800 species of trees and shrubs. This family includes several high-value agricultural crops, most notably cashew (Anacardium occidentale), pistachio (Pistacia vera), and mango (Mangifera indica). These plants are primarily distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Main sections

Gluta16 Lannea12 Buchanania9 Campnosperma7 Antrocaryon4 Comocladia4 Anacardium occidentale2 Euroschinus2 Holigarna2 Lithraea2 Loxopterygium2 Astronium1 Cyrtocarpa1 Dobinea1 Dracontomelon1 Gandaria1 Haematostaphis1 Harpephyllum1 Heeria1 Koordersiodendron1
144 sections

What the section contains

Anacardium humile Anacardium humile Anacardium occidentale Anacardium 2 items Anacardium othonianum Anacardium othonianum Anacardium spruceanum Anacardium spruceanum Antrocaryon Antrocaryon 4 items Ashe's Sumac Rhus ashei Astronium Astronium 1 item Astronium graveolens Astronium graveolens Astronium lecointei Astronium lecointei Atlantic poison oak Toxicodendron pubescens Bottle Mango Mangifera lagenifera Buchanania Buchanania 9 items Campnosperma Campnosperma 7 items Cape poison ivy Toxicodendrum capense Cape sumach Rhus macowanii Ceylon mango Mangifera zeylanica Chaerospondias Chaerospondias Chinese sumac Rhus chinensis Ciliate sumac Rhus ciliata Comocladia Comocladia 4 items Cyrtocarpa Cyrtocarpa 1 item Dobinea Dobinea 1 item Dracontomelon Dracontomelon 1 item Dracontomelon costatum Dracontomelon costatum Ethiopian pistachio Pistacia aethiopica Euroschinus Euroschinus 2 items Evergreen sumac Rhus virens Fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica Gandaria Bouea 1 item Gandaria Bouea oppositifolia Giant Cashew Anacardium giganteum Gluta Gluta 16 items Haematostaphis Haematostaphis 1 item Harpephyllum Harpephyllum 1 item Hawaiian sumac Rhus sandwicensis Heeria Heeria 1 item Holigarna Holigarna 2 items Hooker's poison oak Toxicodendron hookeri Hybrid pistachio Pistacia hybrids Japanese lacquer tree Toxicodendron vernix Japanese sumac Rhus japonica Kasturi mango Mangifera casturi Kearney sumac Rhus kearneyi Koordersiodendron Koordersiodendron 1 item Lannea Lannea 12 items Laurel mango Mangifera laurina Laurel sumac Rhus laurina Laurel sumac Malosma 1 item Laurophyllus Laurophyllus 1 item Lemonade sumac Rhus integrifolia Lentil-fruited Dracontomelon Dracontomelon lenticulatum Lithraea Lithraea 2 items Littleleaf sumac Rhus microphylla Loxopterygium Loxopterygium 2 items Mangifera altissima Mangifera altissima Mangifera applanata Mangifera applanata Mangifera caesia Mangifera caesia Mangifera caloneura Mangifera caloneura Mangifera decandra Mangifera decandra Mangifera gedebi Mangifera gedebi

Anacardiaceae

The origins of the Anacardiaceae family trace back to tropical Asia and the Americas. Modern cultivation spans global regions with arid and semi-arid climates, such as the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and tropical Africa. These trees are highly adapted to regions characterized by long, hot summers and mild winters, which are essential for fruit maturation and kernel development.

Botanically, plants in this family are distinguished by the presence of resin ducts in their bark and leaves, often containing phenols, tannins, or caustic compounds. The leaves are typically alternate, either simple or compound. Flowers are generally small and clustered in panicles, relying on insects or wind for pollination, which is a critical phase for commercial fruit set and yield.

Agricultural success with Anacardiaceae depends on soil drainage and thermal accumulation. These plants are drought-tolerant once established but require well-aerated, deep soil profiles to prevent root rot. Excessive moisture or waterlogging is the primary cause of plantation failure, necessitating careful site selection and the use of raised beds or specialized irrigation management in intensive orchards.

The economic utility of the Anacardiaceae family is vast, serving industries beyond nutrition. Key sectors include:

  • Food processing: Global trade in premium nuts and exotic fruits.
  • Industrial chemistry: Production of varnishes, lacquers, and tanning agents.
  • Medicine: Extraction of bioactive compounds for pharmacological research.

Managing the health of these crops requires vigilance against fungal pathogens like anthracnose and various types of powdery mildew, which thrive in high-humidity conditions. Pest control programs typically target shoot borers, aphids, and mites using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize the quality of the harvested produce.