Dioecious shrubs or trees, bearing axillary spines. Leaves simple, opposite. Flowers axillary. Calyx 4-toothed (in ours). Petals 4, free. Male flowers: stamens 4, alternating with petals. Female flowers: staminodes 4; ovary 2-locular; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a berry. Worldwide: 4 species in tropical and South Africa, India, Philippines and Malaysia Zimbabwe: 1 taxon. |
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