Greek rhaphis — needle, lepis — scale, referring to the needle-like bracteoles in the flower clusters.

Mostly evergreen shrubs. Leaves alternate, leathery. Flowers white or pink. Sepals and petals 5. Stamens 15-20. Ovary inferior. Carpels 2-3, fused at the base. Fruit a small, more or less spherical, purple or black berry, often waxy-bloomed, containing 1-2 seeds.

Sometimes spelled Raphiolepis.

Grown as border plants for the solid evergreen foliage and attractive clusters of white or pink flowers.

3-5 (sometimes to 15) species from subtropical to warm-temperate SE and E Asia.

Seed, semi-ripened wood cuttings, layers or grafting.

Thick, leathery leaves; flowers on fleshy stalks; stamens 15-20.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rosaceae. 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.