Stemonaceae Caruel

Herbs, rarely (not in Australia) shrubs, with erect, trailing or twining stems, often annual from perennating rhizomes or swollen roots. Leaves alternate, opposite or (not in Australia) whorled, broad, subsessile or petiolate; primary veins longitudinal; secondary veins transverse, closely parallel. Flowers axillary, solitary or in clusters or cymes, pedicellate, actinomorphic, usually bisexual. Perianth segments 4, rarely (not in Australia) 5, in 2 series, usually petaloid. Stamens 4, rarely (not in Australia) 5, mostly in 2 series, inserted at base of perianth; filaments short, broad; anthers 2-locular, dehiscing longitudinally; connectives broad, usually with apical appendages. Ovary superior, rarely half-inferior, 1-locular; placentation usually basal; ovules anatropous, 2 to many; stigma sessile or subsessile. Fruit a capsule, 2-valved. Seeds 1 to many, with hilum or funicle appendages; endosperm copious.