Trees. Leaves alternate. Inflorescence a many-flowered corymb or panicle. Bracts and bracteoles caducous, not concealing the young flowers. Flowers slightly zygomorphic. Sepals subcircular. Petals subcircular, white.
Stamens numerous (20-60). Ovary of 1 (-3) 2-locular carpels. Fruit a fleshy drupe; endocarp very hard with 2 lateral plates which break away on germination. Worldwide: 12 species, mostly (10) in tropical Africa; 1 species widespread in tropical Asia and another species in Panama. Malawi: 1 taxon. |