Genera : 200 - 240
Species: 3000 - 4000
Links to Genus Directory of Images:
Distribution: Tropical and subtropical with a few temperate species and concentrated in South America.
Economic Uses: As sources for timber and dyes and as ornamentals.
Defining Features of Interest: Leaves have parallel veins with many cross - connections. Stem is usually square or four-sided. The family is divied into three subfamilies distinguished by characteristics of the stamens.
Fossil Evidence: Fossil plant parts from the Eocene and Oligocene.
Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect (rarely unisexual). Often large and showy. Inflorescences of various types. Epigynous or perigynous with persistent hypanthium.
Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a berry or loculicidal capsule. Seeds are small and many, endosperm is lacking. Placentation is parietal.
: Habit as herbs, shrubs, trees or lianas and sometimes as epiphytes.
Leaves a re simple and entire, opposite (rarely alternate or whorled).
Stipules are lacking.