Succulent to woody trees or shrubs, rarely climbing. Often xerophytes with spines; stems often with dimorphic shoots, long shoots succulent when young, woody when older, short shoots with spines and/or small leaves. Leaves often deciduous, simple, opposite or alternate; margins entire; stipules absent. Inflorescences terminal cymes or panicles. Flowers small, rarely large and showy, actinomorphic; bracteoles free, sometimes petaloid, persistent. Ovary superior, rarely part inferior; carpels fused; placentation basal. Fruit a dry and indehiscent achene, with persistent bracteoles.
This family traditionally consisted of Madagascan endemics, but in APG 3 it has been revised to include certain other genera from eastern and southern Africa, for example, Portulacaria. For the time being, we have retained the former scope of the family. Worldwide: Genera: 4. Species: 11, occurring in Madagascar. Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated genus and 1 cultivated taxon. |
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