Phyllanthaceae Martinov

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, perennial or annual, deciduous or evergreen, monoecious or dioecious. Leaves alternate [rarely opposite], simple (pinnately compound in Bischofia); stipules present [rarely absent]; petiole usually present, sometimes absent; blade margins entire or crenate-serrate; venation pinnate. Inflorescences unisexual or bisexual, axillary [rarely supra-axillary or terminal], racemelike or paniclelike [spikelike] thyrses, cymes, fascicles, or glomes, or flowers solitary. Flowers unisexual; perianth hypogynous; hypanthium absent; sepals 4–6, distinct or connate basally to most of length; petals 0 or [4–]5[–6], distinct; nectary present or absent; stamens 2–5[–50], distinct or connate, free; anthers dehiscing by longitudinal slits; pistil 1, [2–]3–10[–15]-carpellate, ovary superior, [2–]3–10[–15]-locular, placentation axile; ovules 2 per locule, anatropous or hemitropous; styles [2–]3–10[–15], distinct or connate, unbranched or 2-fid; stigmas [2–]3–10[–15] (as many as style divisions). Fruits usually capsules, dehiscence septicidal, (usually schizocarpic with cocci separating from persistent columella, coccus usually dehiscent loculicidally), sometimes berries or drupes. Seeds 1–2 per locule.