Greek aphanes — invisible, petalon — petal, referring to the obscure minute petals

Climbing or spreading shrubs. Leaves simple; stipules small or absent. Flowers axillary, solitary or in clusters, bisexual. Sepals 4, star-like in appearance, enlarging on the fruit. Petals extremely small or absent. Stamens 8. Ovary half-inferior, with 4 chambers, each containing a single ovule. Fruit a 1-seeded nut surrounded by the expanded sepals.

Grown for the attractive foliage.

2 species endemic to Australia, 1 from SW WA, the other from E Australia.

Seed or cuttings.

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