Description

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.