The Rhamnaceae are mainly trees or shrubs, sometimes twining or climbing, comprising about 55 genera and 900 species. The leaves are simple, mostly alternate, and usually stipulate. The flowers are actinomorphic, commonly small and greenish, and nearly always bisexual. The calyx is generally 5-lobed, typically arising from a perigynous or rarely an epigynous zone. The corolla consists typically of 5 clawed, distinct petals or rarely is absent. The androecium comprises typically 5 stamens that are opposite and commonly embraced by the petals. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of usually 2-4 carpels, a lobed or cleft style, and a superior or rarely inferior ovary with usually 2-4 locules, each with almost always a single basal ovule. An annular nectary disk surrounds and is usually adnate to the ovary. The fruit is usually drupaceous.
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