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Shrubs or trees. Youngest branchlets compressed, older branches terete; base of the lateral twigs often provided with small distichous 'bracts' (ramenta) sometimes also occurring between the leaves. Leaves simple, alternate (distichous), entire, involute in bud, the margins leaving a more or less permanent trace as 2 longitudinal lines on the upper leaf surface ('areolate'). Stipules mostly entirely connate, rarely bifid, intrapetiolar, often bicarinate, sometimes emarginate or 2-toothed at the apex, long-persistent or early caducous, inserted ± semi-amplexi-caulous and leaving a distinct, mostly oblique scar. Flowers axillary, solitary or in clusters, often dimorphous, or even 3-4-morphous, 5-merous, actinomorphic, bisexual. Pedicels more or less thickened, often only under the calyx, provided with 2 bracteoles at the base. Calyx persistent, campanulate, (in Mal.) ± halfway divided into 5 lobes imbricate in bud. Petals 5, free, caducous, alternating with the calyx lobes, quincuncial in bud, nearly always provided with an emarginate or 3-lobed ligule inserted on the apex of the claw of the petal. Stamens 10, in two whorls of 5, persistent; filaments towards the base connate into a staminal tube often with a toothed margin; anthers ellipsoid, basifixed, cordate at the base, 2-celled, opening lengthwise, latrorse. Ovary (1-)3-celled, each cell with 1 ovule, normally only 1 cell fertile, but the other empty cells sometimes distinctly enlarged in fruit; styles 3, erect, free or partly connate or stigmas ± sessile; stigmas flattened (often oblique) or (in extra-Mal. spp.) clavate, blunt or rarely acute. Ovules pendulous, anatropous, with a ventral raphe. Fruit a drupe. Seed with or without endosperm; embryo oblong, erect; cotyledons flat to plano-convex; no plumule, but a distinct radicle.
Trees, shrubs or shrublets, the young shoots often ± markedly compressed. Leaves petiolate, alternate, involute in bud; stipules intrapetiolar, ± united, persistent or partially to completely deciduous. Flowers axillary, in fascicles or solitary, heterostylous. Sepals 5, valvate, triangular, connate and broadened at the base, ± coriaceous. Petals white to yellowish cream, free, clawed; nectary-appendage large, usually exceeding the calyx, entire or 2–3-lobed. Stamens with the filaments equal or unequal and then those opposite the sepals shorter, united at the base to form a deep ± persistent cup with entire or ± toothed margin. Ovary (2–)3-locular, the locules with solitary ovules; styles free or partially united, spreading; stigmas obliquely capitate or rarely acute. Fruit a 1-seeded drupe with the sterile locule ± apparent. Seed oblong-ellipsoid; endosperm usually fleshy.
Shrubs or small trees, usually glabrous. Stipules intrapetiolar, often imbricating on short branches. Leaves alternate, often subdistichous, simple. Flowers axillary, solitary or fascicled, small, often heterostylous. Sepals 5(or 6), usually basally connate. Petals 5, white or pink, clawed, usually with a ligule on inner face at base, imbricate. Stamens 10; filament usually basally connate into a glandular or nonglandular tube. Ovary 3(or 4)-locular, with 1(or 2) ovules in single fertile locule; styles distinct or connate; stigmas oblique. Drupe 1-seeded. Seed with a thin testa; endosperm variable in quantity or absent; embryo straight.
Leaves petiolate, alternate, simple, entire, involute when young, with venation varying in prominence and degree of reticulation; stipules intrapetiolar, ± united, persistent or partially to completely deciduous or caducous.
Stamens 5 + 5, with filaments equal or unequal (antisepalous shorter than antipetalous), united in the lower part to form a deep cup with margin entire or ± denticulate.
Petals white to cream-yellow, free, unguiculate; nectary appendage (ligule) large, usually exceeding the calyx, entire or 2–3-lobed.
Ovary (2) 3-locular with 1-ovulate loculi; styles free or partially united, divergent; stigmas obliquely capitate, rarely acute.
Sepals 5, valvate, triangular, connate and broadened at the base, ± coriaceous.
Trees, shrubs or shrublets, with young shoots usually ± compressed.
Petals as many as sepals, imbricate, with a scale on the inner side
Flowers axillary, in fascicles or solitary, heterostylic.
Fruit a 1-seeded drupe, with sterile loculi ± apparent.
Seed oblong-elliptic, usually with fleshy endosperm.
Flowers small, pedicellate, in axillary fascicles
Leaves alternate, entire
Stipules, intrapetiolar
Shrubs or small trees
Ovary 3-4 celled
Sepals usually 5
Styles 3 or 4
Fruit a drupe
Stamens 10
Pending.
