Shrubs or trees, glabrous or pubescent, hairs simple. Leaves usually subopposite or whorled, sometimes decussate; blade venation brochidodromous [hyphodromous]. Inflorescences 1- or 3(–5)-flowered, axillary, often solitary flowers, sometimes dichasia or racemes with 1–3(–5) decussate pairs of flowers. Flowers 4-merous, sessile or pedicellate; hypanthium obconic to campanulate; calyx lobes distinct in bud, usually erect in fruit; petals white; stamens [30–]76–120[–250]; connective usually with 1 terminal oil gland; ovary [1 or]2–4-locular; placen­tation axile [to parietal], placenta not prominent; ovules [3–]9–40 per locule. Fruits berries, dark purple, red, or black, ellipsoid to globose. Seeds 2–27, subreniform; seed coat smooth or leathery, surface cells isodiametric and not overlapping; embryo whitish, C-shaped, oily; cotyledons linear, reflexed, less than 1/4 length of embryo; hypocotyl as wide as or wider than cotyledons.

Distribution

Florida, Mexico, West Indies, Central America (Guatemala).

Discussion

Species ca. 20 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Mosiera longipes