Crypteroniaceae

Abstract

Evergreen trees. Leaves glabrous, opposite, simple, entire, pinnately veined, with short petioles and with or without small stipules. Inflorescences with long, spicate or racemose branches, many-flowered. Flowers bisexual or unisexual (populations then apparently dioecious), epigynous or perigynous, 4-5(6)-merous; calyx minute or obsolete; petals minute or obsolete, perianth 1-or 2-whorled; androecium diplostemonous or haplostemonous, anthers bithecate, dehiscing longitudinally, connective dorsally thickened or not; pistil 2-6-locular, style with a capitate stigma; ovary inferior or superior, with few or numerous ovules per locule; ovules anatropous and bitegmic. Fruits capsules; seeds few or many, flat and with one or two membranous wings, endospermabsent; embryo straight, the seed coat winged.