Description: Trees or shrubs.
Leaves opposite; usually petiolate.
Inflorescences axillary, basically racemose but often appearing umbel-like or head-like, or sometimes flowers few or solitary; bracts and bracteoles persistent. Hypanthium ± globose, sharply contracted into pedicel. Sepals 4, imbricate, usually persistent in fruit. Petals 4. Stamens numerous. Ovary ± inferior, 2-locular, each with several to many ovules.
Fruit a berry; pericarp thin; seeds 1 or 2.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 550 spp., mostly trop. and subtrop. Amer., with 1 sp. in Aust., 1 sp. in N.G. Aust. 2 spp. (1 sp. native, 1 sp. naturalized), Qld, N.S.W.
Text by G.J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Eugenia uniflora |
|
