Philadelphaceae
Shrubs or subshrubs, rarely small trees, usually deciduous, often with opposite branches; indumentum mostly of stellate hairs. Lvs usually opposite or verticillate, rarely alternate, dentate, sometimes 3-5-nerved from base; stipules 0. Fls usually in terminal racemes, cymes or panicles, rarely solitary, actinomorphic, ⚥ or unisexual. Calyx 4-5-merous; calyx tube usually ± adnate to ovary, rarely free; sepals imbricate or valvate. Petals 5-7, free, mostly white, contorted, imbricate or valvate. Stamens 4-numerous; filaments free or connate at base, sometimes lobed or toothed; anthers short, 2-locular, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary 1-7-locular, superior to inferior; styles usually free or nearly so, rarely united; ovules usually numerous on axile or rarely parietal placentas, rarely solitary, anatropous. Fr. a loculicidal capsule or rarely a berry; seeds usually numerous, small, with fleshy endosperm.
c. 7 genera, 135 spp., N. temperate extending S. to Philippines, New Guinea, Hawaii, and C. America.
The Philadelphaceae is sometimes combined with Hydrangeaceae or, with that family, united with Saxifragaceae.
