Trees shrubs or suffrutices, usually evergreen. Leaves alternate, subopposite or subwhorled; margin sometimes minutely crenate, otherwise entire. Inflorescence a simple or branched false raceme. Flowers unisexual, the male usually larger than the female. Calyx 4(-5)-lobed, not accrescent. Corolla campanulate, 4(-5)-lobed. Stamens 10-30. Disk fleshy, fimbriate, sometimes undulate. Styles 2-3. Fruit nearly always a 1-seeded berry. Seed ± spherical, with 3 radiating lines from the apex. Worldwide: c.12 species in Africa, Arabia, Socotra and the Comoro Is. Malawi: 5 taxa. The larvae of the following species of insect eat species of this genus: |
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