石海椒属 shi hai jiao shu

Shrubs. Stipules minute, subulate, caducous. Leaves alternate. Inflorescences axillary and terminal cymose fascicles or flowers solitary and axillary. Sepals 5, lanceolate, persistent, margin entire, apex acuminate. Petals 4 or 5, yellow, much longer than sepals, confluent, fugacious. Stamens 5, hypogynous, basally connate; staminodes 5, alternating with and inserted between stamens; glands 2-5, adnate to staminal ring. Ovary 3(or 4)-celled, cells 2-loculed by intrusion of a false septum, with 1 ovule per locule; styles 3(or 4), filiform, distinct or basally connate; stigmas subcapitate. Capsule splitting into 6(-8) 1-seeded mericarps. Seeds with a membranous wing.

One species: E, S, and SE Asia.

Lower Taxon

• Reinwardtia indica Dumortier