Alternative names: Not Applicable

Description:
Polygamous, polygamo-dioecious or dioecious perennial shrubs or trees; leaves alternate, exstipulate, simple or compound.

Flowers regular, usually unisexual; sepals 3-5, rarely as many as 7, free or connate; petals 3-5, often 0, equal or unequal; stamens 6-15, inserted within a disk, free; ovary superior, 1-4-celled, rarely 5-celled, entire, lobed or divided almost to the base; ovules 1 or 2 per cell, placentation axile.

Fruit dry or succulent, dehiscent or indehiscent.

Distribution:  About 150 genera with about 2,000 species, mainly in the tropics and subtropics with some extension into temperate regions. In Australia 190 species in 30 genera.

Biology: No text

Key to Genera:

1. Leaves simple
2. Sepals united into a cup-shaped calyx; 1 ovule per cell; fruit composed of 1-4 usually 2 irregularly dehiscent globular lobes	HETERODENDRUM 3.
2. Sepals free; 2 ovules per cell; fruit a dehiscent capsule, usually winged or angled	DODONAEA 2.
1. Leaves compound
3. Petals present; fruit dehiscing septicidally into samaras; leaflets 6-20 cm long	ATALAYA 1.
3. Petals absent; fruit dehiscing septifragally into valves which are usually winged; leaflets 0.2-2.5 cm long	DODONAEA 2.

Author: Prepared by J. G. West