Melianthaceae

Melianthus Family

Trees and shrubs. Leaves alternate, pinnate, the leaflets in opposite pairs; stipules present, often large and fused together. Flower clusters terminal or axillary. Flowers irregular, mostly bisexual. Sepals 5, unequal, overlapping, sometimes united at the base. Petals 5, unequal, free. Stamens 4 or 5, free or united at the base, attached inside the disk at the base of the calyx.ovary superior, 1-5-chambered, with 1-several ovules per chamber and axile placentation. Fruit a capsule.

Greyiaceae is sometimes included in this small family.

2 genera and 8 species from southern and tropical Africa.

Mostly alternate, pinnate leaves that are waxy-blue and strongly toothed in the cultivated species; stipules inside the leaf stalks; ovary superior.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Melianthaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Rosanae
order      Geraniales