Usually trees or shrubs, sometimes with thorns, spines or prickles; with scattered secretory cavities containing aromatic ethereal oils;
Distribution
Nearly cosmopolitan, but mainly tropical and subtropical;
Floral characters
Inflorescences usually determinate; flowers bisexuell or unisexuell; usually radial; sepals usually 4 or 5, distinct to connate; petals usually 4 or 5, distinct or sometimes connate; stamens usually 8-10, sometimes numerous, filaments usually distinct, but sometimes basally connate; carpels usually 4 or 5 to many, usually completely connate and with a single common style; ovary superious; nectar disk present, intrastaminal;
Leaf characters
opposite or alternate; compound or simple; glandular-punctate; entire to crenate;
Stipules
absent
Fruit characters
drupe, capsule, samara, variously developed berry;
Glands
present
Latex
absent
Uses
edible fruits (esp. in several species of citrus); used as ornamental plants; medical plants; ethereal oils; one timber plant (Zanthoxylum flavum);
