Deciduous trees. Leaves imparipinnate. Catkins of male flowers slender, pendulous, 3-branched. Male flowers: calyx 2-3-lobed; stamens 3-10 in 2 or 3 series. Female flowers in terminal 2-10-flowered spikes; petals 0; ovary 1-locular. Husk of fruit dehiscent into 4 valves. Worldwide: 18 species in eastern North America to Central America; also a few in East Asia Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon. |