Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. & Bamps, P. (1979) Loganiaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale (Zaire - Rwanda - Burundi) Jardin Botanique National de Belgique
Description of the genus
Trees (ours), shrubs or lianes. Leaves opposite, extremely large (in ours). Inflorescence terminal, dichasial or ± so, large, much-branched. Sepals 4, ± circular. Corolla white, creamy or rarely pale yellow, actinomorphic, thick, fleshy; lobes 8-16, contorted in bud. Ovary superior.
Fruit a berry.
Derivation of name: Anthos - a flower; cleistos - closed.
Worldwide: 14 species in tropical Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes