Citation: L., Sp.Pl. 191 (1753).

Derivation: An old Greek name variously said to derive from kestron, a kind of plant; or kestrum, an engravers tool, in reference to anther shape; or because of a supposed similarity to a plant of the same name described by Dioscorides.) Author: (Prepared by D. E. Symon

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Woody shrubs or small trees; glabrous or with simple dendritic hairs; leaves simple, entire, petiolate, sometimes in pairs;

Inflorescence axillary or terminal, often a congested raceme or panicle; corolla tubular, sometimes slightly zygomorphic, tube obconic or slightly inflated, lobes short; stamens 5 mostly subequal, filaments inserted on the corolla tube, variously pubescent, anthers included; ovary on a small disk, glabrous, 2-celled; stigma capitate, about the level of the anthers.

Fruit a succulent berry; seeds prismatic, embryo straight or curved in the endosperm. Symon (1981) J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 3:138.

Distribution:  About 150 species in warm parts of America several of which have been widely cultivated as ornamentals.

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available