Description
Herbs, sometimes woody below.
Leaves opposite, petioled, rarely sessile.
Flowers in terminal or upper axillary racemose inflorescence.
Stamens 4;
Ovary oblique, on a short gynophore;
Distribution
Asia-Tropical, Bonins near Japan present, New Zealand absent, Pacific Islands absent, S. Africa absent
About 200 spp. almost throughout the world, absent in S. Africa, the Pacific islands (except the Bonins near Japan), and New Zealand, in Malesia 3 spp.
Citation
KENG 1969 – In: Gard. Bull. Sing.: 164
BRIQ. 1896 – In: E. & P., Nat. Pfl. Fam. 4: 225
LINNE 1876 – In: B. & H., Gen. Pl. 2: 1201
LINNE 1753: Sp. Pl.: 598
BTH. 1848 – In: DC., Prod. 12: 412
