Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, sometimes opposite, mostly pinnately veined, but sometimes 3-veined from the base. Inflorescences of small cymes, arranged in axillary or ± terminal panicles. Flowers bisexual or unisexual. Receptacle enlarging in fruit to form a basal cupule. Tepals 6. Bisexual flowers: fertile stamens 9, in 3 whorls; those of the third whorl with glandular appendages at the base; anthers 4-celled; staminodes 3 in a fourth innermost whorl. Male flowers similar but ovary sterile. Female flowers similar but with rudimentary stamens. Fruit drupaceous, acorn-like in appearance. Worldwide: 350 species in tropical and warm parts of America, Macaronesia, tropical and South Africa, Madagascar and the Mascareignes. Zambia: 1 taxon. |
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