Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, rarely
subopposite or opposite. Cymes arranged in lax or dense panicles,
ebracteate, terminal or axillary. Flowers bisexual or unisexual,
actinomorphic. Calyx tubular or ± campanulate,
usually splitting irregularly, 3-5-toothed, usually
accrescent and cup-shaped in fruit. Corolla 4-5(-7)-lobed,
funnel-shaped to salver-shaped, white or yellowish. Ovary
4-locular (abortive in male flowers). Style terminal,
twice 2-fid with 4 slender or clavate, stigmas. Fruit
drupaceous, partially or wholly surrounded by the enlarged
persistent calyx. Worldwide: c.320 species, tropical Zimbabwe: 8 taxa. Insects associated with this genus: |
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