Suffrutex (in ours), trees or shrubs. Flowers axillary, usually solitary (in ours). Bracteoles conspicuous and persistent at the base of the receptacle. Fl. buds subspherical. Receptacle not gradually narrowed into a pedicel-like base above the articulation, not prolonged beyond summit of ovary as an "upper receptacle". Calyx of 4-5 well-developed free sepals. Petals 4-5, free, persistent. Filaments and style scarcely longer than the petals. Cotyledons partly or completely fused. Ovary 2-locular. Fruit a berry. Derivation of name: after Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), patron of botany. Worldwide: c. 550 species, tropics, mostly American. Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon. |