Description: Erect to sub-erect shrubs or small trees, often spinose, not aromatic.
Leaves opposite or sometimes whorled, entire or variously toothed.
Inflorescence axillary or terminal, with flowers arranged on an elongate spike, lax; bracts small. Flowers usaully pedicellate; calyx tubular or campanulate, 5-lobed, persistent; corolla blue, purple of white, more or less actinomorphic, 5-lobed; stamens 4, with a single staminode present; ovary 4-carpellate, carpels 2-locular; style persistent or not; stigma capitate.
Fruit a drupe, with four 2-seeded pyrenes.
Distribution and occurrence: One species naturalised in Australia. About 20 species from tropical and subtropical America.
Text by B.J. Conn (2007)
Taxon concept: S. Atkins (2004)
| One species in NSW: Duranta erecta |
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