Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs. Leaves alternate, seldom opposite, simple, entire or toothed or lobed. Stipules usually present, often caducous. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual, axillary or terminal, usually cymose. Sepals 3–5, free or connate, generally valvate. Petals the same number as the sepals or fewer, rarely wanting, imbricate or valvate, entire cut or multifid. page 82Stamens numerous, rarely few, usually inserted on the torus, which is often elevated and disc-like; anthers 2-celled. Ovary free, 2–10-celled; style simple or divided into as many lobes or stigmas as there are cells to the ovary; ovules few or many, attached to the inner angle of the cell. Fruit dry or fleshy, dehiscent or indehiscent, 2–10-celled, or by abortion 1-celled. Seeds solitary or many; albumen usually copious, fleshy; embryo straight or seldom curved, radicle next the hilum.

An order comprising about 45 genera and 350 species, chiefly tropical and subtropical. One genus (Tilia) is found in the north temperate zone; and several are endemic in southern latitudes or extend thereto. The most important economic plant is Corchorus capsularis, which yields the fibre known as jute. All the species are innocuous. Of the three New Zealand genera, Enlelea is endemic; Aristotelia extends to Australia, Tasmania, and temperate South America; while Elœocarpus is mainly Indian and Malayan, stretching southwards to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands.

Leaves large, alternate. Capsule clothed with rigid bristles	1. Entelea.
Leaves opposite. Fruit a berry	2. Aristotelia.
Leaves alternate. Fruit a drupe	3. ElÆocarpus.