Shrubs, often partly climbing or
climbers. Leaves opposite, whorled or alternate, simple
or compound. Domatia sometimes present in the axils
of lateral nerves on the lower leaf surface. Inflorescences few-many flowered,
cymose or solitary. Flowers scented. Calyx with cup-shaped tube and
5-15 teeth. Corolla white or yellow, salver-shaped with 5-13
lobes. Fruit a deeply 2-lobed, 2-seeded berry. Derivation of name: from ysmyn, the Arabic name for the genus. Worldwide: 200 species, mainly tropical, with a few temperate. Caprivi: 2 taxa. The larvae of the following species of insect eat species of this genus: |
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