Trees, shrubs, lianes or (rarely) herbs, usually with milky latex. Stipules usually 0. Leaves opposite or whorled, less often alternate or spiral, simple, entire. Flowers bisexual, usually actinomorphic, (4-)5-merous. Corolla tubular, sometimes with a corona. Ovary superior or sometimes partly inferior, 1- or 2-locular or composed of 2 7 ± free carpels. Fruit a berry, drupe or follicle, entire or composed of 2 ± free carpels. Seeds in dry fruits often winged or with a tuft of hairs. Worldwide: 163 genera and 1,850 species, mostly tropical. Caprivi: 16 cultivated genera and 26 cultivated taxa. |
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