Description: Trees, shrubs [or woody climbers], often with tendrils or spines.
Leaves 3–7-veined, mostly inserted on enlarged nodes; margins entire; stipular line faint.
Inflorescence axillary and/or terminal, cymose (branched-botryoids), frequently with elaborations; usually many-flowered. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous. Calyx free or fused to half-way; margin ciliate. Corolla trumpet-shaped, outer surface densely papillose; lobes valvate in bud. Stamens included to just exserted. Ovary 2- or rarely 1-locular; style capitate or slightly 2-lobed, persistent.
Fruit a globose or ellipsoid berry; seeds usually many.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 170 species, tropical & subtropical Africa, America, Malesia, Australia. Australia: 3 or 4 species (1 or 2 species endemic), Qld, N.S.W., N.T., W.A.
Text by B. J. Conn
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Strychnos arborea |
|
