Defining Features: The compound
pistil often exhibits heterostyly, or differentially elongated styles.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are actinomorphic (rarely zygomorphic) and bisexual (rarely
unisexual). Inflorescences are various. Flower often shows heterostyly.
Ovaries are inferior and often with axile placentation. Fruit and Seed
Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit a berry, capsule, drupe or schizocarp. Seeds
are single or many and with or without endosperm. Vegetative Features:
Habit as herbs, shrubs, trees, lianas or epiphytes. Leaves are simple,
entire (rarely lobed) and opposite or whorled. Stipules are often fused
at the node and they are leaf-like.
Distribution: Worldwide with
a majority in the tropical and subtropical regions. Those in temperate
regions are herbaceous.
Economic Use: Source of coffee,
quinine and ipecac. Cultivated as garden ornamentals and for a red dye.
Number of Genera Globally: 550
Number of Species Globally:
9,000
