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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

Searsia26 Semecarpus10 Ozoroa9 Pistachio8 Mango4 Operculicarya4 Parishia4 Metopium2 Myracrodruon2 Pentaspadon2 Protorhus2 Schinus2 Sclerocarya2 Nothopegia1 Pachycormus1 Pleiogynium1 Poupartia1 Protorhus1 Pseudospondias1 Quebracho1
144 sections

What the section contains

Mangifera griffithii Mangifera griffithii Mangifera lalijiwa Mangifera lalijiwa Mangifera leschenaultii Mangifera leschenaultii Mangifera macrocarpa Mangifera macrocarpa Mangifera minor Mangifera minor Mangifera mucronulata Mangifera mucronulata Mangifera pajang Mangifera pajang Mangifera parvifolia Mangifera parvifolia Mangifera quadrifida Mangifera quadrifida Mangifera rufocostata Mangifera rufocostata Mangifera swintonioides Mangifera swintonioides Mangifera timorensis Mangifera timorensis Mangifera torquenda Mangifera torquenda Mango Mangifera 4 items Mauria Mauria Melanorrhoea Melanorrhoea Metopium Metopium 2 items Mexican pistachio Pistacia mexicana Michaux's sumac Rhus michauxii Myracrodruon Myracrodruon 2 items Mysore sumac Rhus mysurensis Nothopegia Nothopegia 1 item Operculicarya Operculicarya 4 items Oriental lacquer tree Toxicodendron orientale Ozoroa Ozoroa 9 items Pachycormus Pachycormus 1 item Pacific poison oak Toxicodendron diversilobum Parishia Parishia 4 items Pentaspadon Pentaspadon 2 items Pistachio Pistacia L. 8 items Pistacia khinjuk Pistacia khinjuk Pistacia saportae Pistacia saportae Pleiogynium Pleiogynium 1 item Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans Potanin's sumac Rhus potaninii Poupartia Poupartia 1 item Prairie flameleaf sumac Rhus lanceolata Protorhus Protorhus Engl. 2 items Protorhus Protorhus 1 item Pseudospondias Pseudospondias 1 item Punjab sumac Rhus punjabensis Quebracho Schinopsis 1 item Rhus lepidodictya Rhus lepidodictya Rhus longipes Rhus longipes Rhus marlothii Rhus marlothii Rhus orientalis Rhus orientalis Rhus viminalis Rhus viminalis Rydberg's poison ivy Toxicodendron rydbergii Schinopsis lorentzii Schinopsis lorentzii Schinus Schinus 2 items Schinus latifolia Schinus latifolia Schinus longifolia Schinus longifolia Schinus polygama Schinus polygama Sclerocarya Sclerocarya 2 items Sclerocarya birrea Sclerocarya caffra Searsia Searsia F. A. Barkley Searsia Searsia 26 items Semecarpus Semecarpus 10 items Shining sumac Rhus copallinum Skunkbush sumac Rhus trilobata

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.