Ochnaceae

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Ochnaceae A family of trees, shrubs, and herbs, that have simple, alternate leaves with stipules. The regular, bisexual flowers are held in panicles, racemes, or umbels. The calyx is either united at the base or free. The corolla has 5 twisted or convoluted petals. There are 5 or more stamens. The ovary is superior with several carpels which, although not usually united, have a common style. The fruit is a cluster of drupes, a berry, or a capsule. The seed often contains endosperm. The family is closely related to the Dipterocarpaceae and includes a few species of commercial timber trees known as the African oaks (Lophira species). There are 37 genera, comprising about 460 species, found throughout the tropics but concentrated in Brazil.

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