Synonyms: Omalanthus APNI*
Description: Shrubs or small trees, glabrous or almost so, young stems and petioles often red; monoecious.
Leaves alternate, triangular to ovate, thin, paler and prominently pinnately veined below, often turning red with age; lamina occasionally ± peltate, petiole attached <2 mm in from margin, petiole mostly as long as the lamina; stipules prominent, shed early.
Inflorescence a terminal raceme; male flowers numerous, clustered along axis with a few pedicellate female flowers at the base. Perianth irregularly truncate. Male flowers with stamens 5–50. Ovary 2-locular; 1 ovule in each loculus; styles 2, linear.
Capsule ± globose, compressed.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 35 species, Malesia to Polynesia & Australia. Australia: 3 species, Qld, N.S.W., N.T. [Homalanthus in error]
Text by T. A. James & G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Capsule 8–10 mm wide, glaucous, without projections; leaves with lamina mostly more than 5 cm long, lower surface glabrous, with 1 or 2 basal glands; stipules 10–20 mm long | Homalanthus populifolius |
| Capsule c. 5 mm wide, not glaucous, with 2–6 conical projections; lamina usually less than 5 cm long, lower surface finely hairy; lamina without basal glands; stipules 3–6 mm long | Homalanthus stillingiifolius |
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