Gronovia Blanco (1837), not Linnaeus (1753); Henschelia C. Presl.

Lianas, climbing by leaf petioles, evergreen. Leaves alternate, 3-foliolate [rarely 5-foliolate], petiolate; leaflets petiolulate. Panicle composed of axillary cymes, rarely terminal. Flowers 5-merous, bisexual. Perianth segments (tepals) in 2 rows, valvate in bud. Outer tepals (sepals) oblong or narrowly elliptic, rarely ovate-elliptic, 3-5-veined. Inner tepals (petals) similar to outer ones, 1-3-veined. Stamens 5, epigynous; filaments each at base with 2 appendages, inflated, membranous and shortly stipitate or appendages clavate and solid; anthers opening by valves. Stamens alternating with mostly 5 small (interstaminal) glands. Ovule pendulous from apex of locule; style filiform; stigma dilated into an undulate crest. Fruit 2-4-winged; wings brown when dry, broad, striate. Seed solitary, with membranous testa; cotyledons plano-convex.

About 30 species: tropical regions of Africa and Asia; 15 species (seven endemic) in China.