Small trees or subscandent shrubs. Leaves alternate (in Mal. spp.). Stipules absent. Racemes simple or panicled, axillary and subterminal. Pedicels articulated at the base, subtended by a scale-like bract and provided with 2 minute bracteoles. Flowers, mall fragrant, bisexual, sometimes polygamous I.c. the lower ones male only with rudimentary ovary. Perianth segments 7-13, imbricate, concave, glabrous, spirally arranged, the inner ones gradually decrescent and petal-like, all reflexed and caducous. Stamens 5 (in Mal. spp.); filaments glabrous; anthers broadly or lanceolate-sagittate, nearly as long as the filaments, connective broadened at the base. Ovary unilocular, with 3(-4), mostly many-ovulate placentas. Style thick, very short; stigma entire or 2-4-lobed. Capsule coriaceous, nearly globose, apiculate, rather small, rough, 3(-4)-valved or semidehiscent, splitting tardily. Seeds 1-6, provided with a scarlet, fleshy aril, flattened from mutual pressure; testa firm.
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