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Manual of the New Zealand Flora.

[Introduction to Order LXVIII. MonimiaceÆ.]

Trees or shrubs, often aromatic. Leaves opposite, rarely alternate, simple; stipules wanting. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual, usually in short cymes or racemes. Perianth inferior, page 599globose, hemispherical or subcampanulate, limb 4–15 - toothed. Stamens usually indefinite, in one or many series on a disc lining the perianth-tube, all fertile or some reduced to staminodia; filaments short; anthers 2-celled, opening by slits or valves. Carpels usually many, rarely solitary, free, sessile on the base or sides of the perianth-tube, 1-celled; style long or short; stigma small; ovule solitary, erect or pendulous. Fruit of several (rarely only one) drupes or achenes, resting on the expanded receptacle or enclosed within the enlarged perianth. Seed solitary, testa membranous; albumen fleshy; embryo variable, radicle inferior or superior.

A small order, best represented in tropical South America, but also found in tropical Asia, the Mascarene Islands, Australia, and Polynesia. Genera 22; species estimated at 150. Of the 2 New Zealand genera, Hedycarya is found in Australasia and the Pacific islands, while Laurclia, is confined to South America and New Zealand.

Anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Ovule pendulous. Drupes stipitate 1. Hedycarya.
Anthers opening by ascending valves. Ovule erect. Achenes with plumose styles 2. Laurelia.