1. DodonÆa, Linn.

Shrubs or small trees, often viscid with a resinous exudation. Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, in terminal or axillary racemes or panicles, rarely solitary. Sepals 2–5, imbricate or valvate. Petals wanting. Stamens 5–10, usually 8; filaments short; anthers linear-oblong. Ovary 3–6-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell. Capsule membranous or coriaceous, 2–6-sided, septicidally 2–6-valved; valves winged at the back. Seeds 1–2 in each cell, lenticular or subglobose, compressed, with a thickened funicle but not arillate; embryo spirally coiled.

A genus comprising about 50 species, fully 40 of which are confined to Australia, the remainder scattered through the tropical or subtropical regions of both hemispheres. The New Zealand species is found in most warm countries.