Family Cornaceae
Synonyms: Alangiaceae APNI*
Description: Trees or shrubs.
Leaves alternate, simple, margins entire, domatia often present; petiolate, stipules absent.
Inflorescence axillary, cymose; pedicels jointed. Flowers actinomorphic, mostly bisexual, mostly 4- or 5-merous; floral parts epigynous. Calyx 4–10-toothed. Petals 4–10, linear, sometimes coherent at base, recurved. Stamens same number as petals and alternate with them or 2–4 times as many, all in a single whorl; filaments free or slightly fused at base; anthers 2-locular, dehiscing by longitudinal slits, introrse. Disc prominent. Ovary inferior, 1- or 2-locular; ovule solitary in each loculus; style simple or lobed.
Fruit a drupe, crowned by persistent calyx and disc; usually 1-seeded.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 2 genera, c. 85 species, worldwide except S. Amer. Australia: 1 genus, 1 species (native).
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Cornaceae, Order: Cornales)
Wikipedia
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| One genus in NSW: Alangium |
|
