Flora of New Zealand Series

Herbs, shrubs or trees, sometimes climbing, sometimes spiny. Lvs opposite or subopposite, occasionally alternate, simple, exstipulate, entire. Infl. usually cymose, sometimes appearing paniculate, rarely fls solitary, often surrounded by coloured bracts; fls ⚥ or unisexual, actinomorphic. Calyx tubular, often petaloid, (3)-5-(8)-merous; lobes valvate or plicate in bud; basal part persistent; apical part caducous; bracts sometimes involucrate and simulating the calyx. Corolla 0. Stamens 1-many, free, or connate at base, hypogynous, often unequal. Ovary superior, 1-locular; ovule solitary, basal; style 1, slender; stigma simple or variously divided. Fr. an achene, sometimes enclosed by the persistent base of the calyx (an anthocarp), or a nut. Seed with little or copious endosperm.

c. 30 genera, 300 spp., mainly tropical and subtropical, especially America.