phy·to·lac·ca·ce·ae \ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷laˈkāsēˌē\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from Phytolacca, type genus + -aceae : a family of chiefly tropical herbs, shrubs, and trees (order Caryophyllales) with racemose flowers and fruit of many carpels • phy·to·lac·ca·ceous\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|kāshəs\adjective