Trees, in low-lying or swampy forest frequently with stilt-roots. Leaves spiral, simple, entire, beneath usually papillose, petioled. Inflorescences paniculate, terminal and/or axillary with bracts and bracteoles; pedicels articulated. Flowers usually unisexual (plants dioecious). Hypanthium (receptacle) cupuliform, puberulous outside, slightly accrescent in fruit and adnate to the very base of it. Calyx 5-(or 4-)lobed. Petals 5 (or 4), imbricate (at least at the upper half), sometimes slightly overlapping (and seemingly valvate), puberulous outside, villous or woolly on the inner surface. Stamens 5 (or 4); filaments subulate, free or the lower part laterally connate with the petals, villous; anthers oblong, dorsifixed, imperfect or abortive in ♀. Disk slightly intrastaminal, rim-like, 5-(or 4-)notched or-lobed, glabrous. Ovary superior, sometimes partly or rarely completely concealed in the cup-shaped receptacle (seemingly semi-inferior or inferior), 1-celled, usually densely hairy; style distinct, stigmas 3. Abortive pistil in ♂ very small or 0. Drupe 1-celled, mesocarp and endocarp full of black varnish, endocarp thick and hard. Seed with testa adherent to the endocarp; embryo straight, cotyledons free, planoconvex.
Chiefly in lowland forests, sometimes occurring in swampy land, and on sandstone or limestone, rarely found in montane forest up to 1350 m.As in Gluta and Semecarpus the sap may be very irritant to susceptible persons.
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