Shrubs or trees, rarely herbs. Leaves usually alternate, very rarely opposite or whorled, generally hard and coriaceous, entire or toothed or variously divided; stipules wanting. Flowers usually hermaphrodite, inflorescence various. Perianth inferior, regular or irregular; segments 4, valvate, at first cohering into a cylindric tube, at length separating and becoming revolute. Stamens 4, inserted on the perianth-segments and opposite to them; filaments short; anthers erect, adnate, 2-celled, introrse. Hypogynous glands 4, alternating with the stamens. Ovary superior, 1-celled, often oblique; style terminal, variously thickened and enlarged at page 605the top; stigma terminal or lateral; ovules solitary or geminate or many. Fruit either an indehiscent nut or drupe, or a dehiscent coriaceous or woody follicle, more rarely a 2-valved capsule. Seeds exalbuminous; embryo straight, with fleshy cotyledons, radicle inferior.

A large and well-marked order, chief!y found in Australia and South Africa, but extending to the Pacific islands and tropical Asia on the one side and South America on the other; absent in Europe, North Asia, and North America. Genera about 50; species estimated at 950. Several species are cultivated for ornamental purposes, but few possess any useful properties. Of the two indigenous genera, Knightia has 2 species in New Caledonia, while Persoonia is largely developed in Australia. The meagre representation of the order in New Zealand, compared with its abundance in Australia, is a very curious and almost inexplicable feature of the flora.

Small spreading tree. Leaves entire. Fruit fleshy	1. Persoonia.
Tall fastigiate tree. Leaves serrate. Fruit a woody follicle	2. Knightia.