5788.000 Memecylon L.

Shrubs or small to medium sized trees. Leaves entire, glabrous, mid-rib prominent with distinct to obscure intra-marginal and lateral veins. Inflorescence cymes, compound, bracteates, usually thyrsoid to umbel-shaped, often condensed to sessile fascicles of flowers or few-flowered heads at tips of peduncles; Flowers tetramerous; calyx campanulate to cupuliform or urceolate, glabrous (occasionally papillose), smooth or shallowly striate to deeply furrowed with 8 radiating wings inside; petals thin, easily dropped at anthesis. Fruit globose or sometimes ellipsoid, pulpy or juicy seeds.

Worldwide: 200-300 species in Old World tropics.

Caprivi: 2 cultivated taxa.