Trees, shrubs, lianes or herbs. Stipules usually present. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, entire. Flowers in terminal or axillary cymes, sometimes solitary, actinomorphic, bisexual. Sepals (4-)5. Petals (4-)5, contorted in bud. Stamens (4-)5-10. Ovary superior, 2-5-locular. Styles as many as cells of the ovary, free or united at the base. Fruit a capsule or drupe. Seeds smooth, flat. Worldwide: 14 genera and 250 species, cosmopolitan. Zimbabwe: 2 genera and 3 taxa. |
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