Trees and shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves simple, opposite, rarely alter¬nate; stipules interpetiolar or reduced to a raised line on the stem, sometimes absent. Flowers bisexual, regular, in terminal or axillary cymes, sometimes paniculate, bracteate. Calyx 4-5-lobed. Petals 4-5, united below into a tube, imbricate or valvate in bud. Stamens 4-5 alternating with the petals. Carpels 2, united; ovary superior or semi-inferior, (1-)2(-4)-locular; placentation axile; style 1-many; ovules 1-many in each locule. Fruit a septicidal capsule or a berry.
A family of 6-10 genera and nearly 150 species, mostly tropical, a few are warm temperate. Represented in W. Pakistan by 2 genera and 5 species.
The family Buddlejaceae Bartl. differs from the Loganiaceae Mart., under which it was formerly included, in the absence of intraxylary phloem, and the presence of glandular, stellate or scaly indumentum.
Acknowledgements: We are grateful to the United States Department of Agriculture for financing this research under P.L. 480 and to Mr. J. Keenan, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, for going through the manuscript and giving valuable suggestions.
