Alternative names: Not Applicable

Description:
Woody perennial climbers, shrubs or in other areas trees, often stellate-hairy; leaves alternate or rarely opposite or whorled, simple or pinnate or palmate; stipules small or 0.

Flowers bisexual or unisexual, regular, usually in umbels, sessile or pedicellate; sepals usually 5, sometimes minute; petals usually 5, free. more or less valvate; stamens usually 5, free, alternating with the petals; anthers 2locular, dehiscing longitudinally; ovary inferior or semi-inferior, usually 5-celled; styles free or united; ovules 1 in each cell, pendulous, anatropous.

Fruit a berry or drupe; seeds with copious endosperm.

Distribution:  About 55 genera and 700 species mostly in the tropics. There are several horticulturally important genera, including Schefflera Forster & Forster f.

Biology: No text

Author: Prepared by J.P. Jessop