Primulaceae

=Family description=
 * Herbs, climbers, shrubs and small trees**, sometimes with swollen twig bases (//Ardisia//)
 * Leaves** alternate, spiral, simple (trees) to lobed (herbs), often with black dots. Stipules absent.
 * Flowers** regular, usually bisexual, usually 5-merous, 4-5(-6) sepals usually fused at base, 4-5(-6) petals fused at base, stamens opposite of petals, ovary superior to half-inferior, 1-locular.
 * Fruit** colourful drupes, with persistent calyx.

=General info=
 * Distribution** Widespread in tropical and warm temperate regions of the old world with 1225 species.
 * Ecology** Usually as forest understorey trees.
 * Uses** Edible leaves, ornamentals.
 * Similar to** Myristicaceae but these differ in having red sap and arrilate seeds. Plumbaginaceae but these have no leaf dots and an ovary with only 1 ovule. Ochnaceae, but these have stipules and no leaf dots.
 * Remark** This includes may genera formerly belonging to the family Myrsinaceae!

=Treated genera=
 * Ardisia
 * Maesa

Primulaceae.pdf

Ardisia pterocaulis

Maesa sp