Greek krinon—lily, dendron—tree.
Large, evergreen trees and shrubs. Leaves alternate or occasionally opposite, simple, leathery, toothed; stalk short. Flowers 1-2 in the leaf axils, bell-shaped, white or red, hanging on long, thick stalks. Sepals fused into a ring that is soon shed. Petals 5, fleshy, mostly with 3 teeth at the tips. Stamens mostly 15-20. Fruit a tough capsule.
Growth is best in moist, shady places with little frost.
Seed, soft to semi-ripe cuttings.
4 species from Brazil, Chile and Argentina.
Bricker (1991).
Source: (1997). Elaeocarpaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
