Tall shrubs or trees; indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves entire or variously toothed. Inflorescences axillary, cymes or thyrsoid panicles, usually many-flowered; bracts small, caducous before anthesis. Flowers bisexual. Hypanthium campanulate. Perianth ± differentiated into sepals and petals, usually 2 outer whorls each of 5 sepals and 1 or 2 inner whorls each of 5 petals. Androecium of 3 or 4 whorls; outer whorl of usually 4–7 stamens, each with 2 appendages (glands) at base of filament; connective not prolonged beyond apex; inner (2 or 3) whorls each of about 5 staminodes. Carpels usually 4–12; styles terminal. Fruiting hypanthium enlarged, cylindrical to globose, glabrous or glabrescent, dehiscent by a single slit; perianth and androecium persistent until after hypanthium dehiscence. Achenes ± ellipsoid, uniformly silky hirsute, on inner surface of hypanthium.
Home