Shrubs or trees [lianas], evergreen, usually glabrous. Leaves decussate [whorled], estipulate; petiole usually present; blade margins entire; glandular canals not containing hypericin or pseudohypericin. Inflorescences terminal, dichasial, thyrsoid, or corymbiform or flowers solitary. Pedicels absent or relatively stout. Flowers unisexual [bisexual], actinomorphic, hypogynous; sepals persistent, [2–] 4 [–14], imbricate or decussate; petals persistent [deciduous], [3–] 6 (–8) [–14], without ventral scale; [stamens distinct or fasciculate; filaments nearly as wide as anthers; anthers usually dehiscing longitudinally, sometimes locellate, eglandular]; pistils 1; ovary superior, 3–12-locular; placentation axile; ovules 1–6+ per locule, anatropous, bitegmic, tenuinucellate; styles absent [relatively short]; stigmas [3–] 6–9 (–12). Fruits capsular [berrylike, drupelike], dehiscence septifragal. Seeds arillate, embryo usually green, straight, cotyledons minute [absent], endosperm absent.
Distribution
Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar), pantropical
Discussion
Genera 15, species ca. 700 (1 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
