Description: Small trees, shrubs or climbers, rarely herbs.
Leaves opposite, domatia sometimes present on lower surface; stipules interpetiolar, united into a tubular cap with 2 apical points, caducous.
Inflorescence of terminal cymes or heads; flowers bisexual. Calyx 4–6-lobed. Corolla tube short, 4–6-lobed, valvate. Stamens inserted in tube; anthers included or exserted. Ovary 2-locular, ovules one per loculus. Style exserted; stigma 2-lobed.
Fruit a drupe with 2 hemispherical pyrenes.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 700 species, pantropical. Australia: 10 or 11 species (c. 2 species endemic), Qld, N.S.W., N.T.
Text by S. McCune
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Small tree to 8 m high; fruit 18–20 mm long, black, fleshy; Lord Howe Island | Psychotria carronis |
| Small tree or shrub to 5 m high; fruit less than 10 mm long, creamy-white or yellowish; mainland NSW | 2 |
| 2 | Leaves densely pubescent with white or rusty hairs; lateral veins prominent, domatia often present; flowers sessile | Psychotria loniceroides |
| Leaves mostly glabrous, if hairy on lower surface then inflorescence in terminal cymes with flowers pedicillate (except central one); lateral veins obscure; domatia absent
Back to 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Leaves mostly narrow-elliptic to elliptic, sometimes ovate or obovate, glandular punctate; apex acuminate to attenuate; flowers 2 or 3 together ± sessile in terminal or sometimes axillary heads on peduncles to 2 cm long | Psychotria simmondsiana |
| Leaves oblanceolate to obovate or oblong, not glandular punctate; apex shortly acuminate; often ± obtuse, sometimes acute; flowers in terminal cymes, often 3 flowers together, pedicellate except central one
Back to 2 | Psychotria daphnoides |
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