7177.000 Callicarpa L.

Shrubs or trees, erect or rarely climbing, mealy tomentose, hairs stellate, branched, dendritic; branchlets 4-angled. Leaves opposite or in 3s. Inflorescence cymes, sessile or pedunculated, axillary; bracts linear; calyx campanulate, truncate or minutely 4-dentate, unaltered in fruit; corolla actinomorphic, campanulate or tubular, lobes 4. Fruit drupes, globose, small endocarp bony, mesocarp fleshy, endocarp thin. Seeds small, oblong, testa membranous.

Derivation of name: Species 140, mainly in Asia, few in America and Africa.

Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon.