Trees, shrubs, lianas, herbs; some hemiepiphytics (e. g. Clusia); also known as Guttiferae;
Distribution
tropical, some genera in temperate areas (e. g. Hypericum);
Floral characters
inflorescences determinate, sometimes reduced to a single flower, usually terminal; bisexual to unisexual (then plants usually dioecious), radial; sepals usually 2-5 and distinct; petals usually 4-5 and distinct; stamens usually numerous, the innermost developing before the outermost; carpels usually 2-5, sometimes numerous, connate;
Leaf characters
usually opposite or whorled; simple; entire; often with pellucite or black dots or canels;
Stipules
absent
Fruit characters
capsule, berry or drupe;
Glands
absent
Hairs
absent
Latex
present
Uses
timber plants; ornamental plants; edible fruits (Garcinia mangostana, Mammea americana); medical use of some species; pigments; gum;
Chemical characters
secretory canals or cavaties containing etherical oils; hypericin in some genera (e. g. Hypericum); xanthones;
Distribution maps
(online von http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ . Dort zitiert wie unter jedem Diagramm vermerkt):
