Symplocaceae

=Family description=
 * Shrubs and trees.**
 * Leaves** usually alternate and spiral, simple, often with toothed margin. Stipules absent.
 * Flowers** regular, bisexual, white-yellowish, placed in spike like clusters, sepals 5 fused at base, petals 5 fused at base, lobes overlapping, stamens many, attached to corolla between lobes, ovary inferior.
 * Fruit** a 2-5 celled drupe with persistent calyx on top.

=General info=
 * Distribution** Only one genus which is widespread in the tropics of Indo-Australia and America.
 * Ecology** More common at higher elevations in the understorey of forests.
 * Uses** Leaves of some species are eaten.
 * Similar to** Alangiaceae, but these have free petals and only 1 ovule per cell and a berry as fruit. Ebenaceae, but these have untoothed leaves, an superior ovary and berries. Rosaceae, but these have stipules. Theaceae, but these have berries or capsules.

=Treated genera=
 * Symplocos

[|Symplocos.pdf]

Symplocaceae of Asia website

Symplocos ophirensis