Trees, shrubs or lianes. Stipules present or 0. Leaves opposite, less often in whorls of 3, simple. Inflorescence thyrsoid, cymose or 1-flowered. Flowers mostly actinomorphic, less often zygomorphic, usually bisexual, 4- or 5-merous (in ours). Sepals free or united. Corolla lobes partly united. Ovary superior or slightly inferior, (1-)2(-4)-locular. Fruit a berry, 1-many-seeded.
Worldwide: 29 genera and 570 species, tropical with a few temperate. Caprivi: 1 genus and 5 taxa. |
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