Erect, or ± climbing, unarmed or spiny shrubs or small trees. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple. Flowers in terminal or axillary racemes or panicles; bracts small. Calyx 5-toothed, persistent. Corolla zygomorphic; limb 2-lipped with 5 unequal lobes. Stamens 4-5. Ovary spherical, 8-10-locular. Fruit fleshy with 4-5 2-seeded pyrenes, tightly enclosed by the persistent calyx. Derivation of name: Duranta: named for Castor Durantes, physician and botanist in Rome, who died in c. 1590 Worldwide: 20-35 species, tropical American; one widely cultivated in the tropics and becoming naturalised |
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