Flora of New Zealand Series

Infl. various; fls us. perfect, regular; sepals 4-5, imbricate, sts connate at base; petals 4-5, imbricate, us. free; disk between stamens and ovary; stamens 3-10 or occ. more, attached to disk; anthers 2-celled, introrse, dehiscing lengthwise, connective often glandular. Ovary superior, us. 4-5-lobed, sts of free carpels; placentae axile, ovules often superposed. Fr. various, seed with large embryo. Mostly shrubs or trees with gland-dotted, aromatic, alt. or opp., simple or compound, exstipulate lvs. A widely distributed family with over 100 genera and 1000 spp.