Anomospermum Dalzell.

Trees or shrubs, monoecious or sometimes dioecious; indumentum of simple hairs, sometimes absent. Leaves alternate, rarely subopposite; stipules 2 in bilateral base of petioles; leaf blade simple, margin often entire, pinnately veined. Flowers axillary, fascicled or solitary; pedicels usually elongated. Male flowers: sepals 4-6, imbricate, slightly connate at base; petals 4-6, rarely absent, shorter than sepals; disk annular, entire or rarely divided at apex; stamens (3-)5(or 6); filaments distinct or connate at base; anthers introrse, longitudinally dehiscent; pistillode apex 3-fid. Female flowers: pedicels longer than male ones; sepals and petals as in male; disk annular surrounding base of ovary; ovary 3-locular; ovules 2 per locule; style short, free or connate at base, apex bifid or entire. Fruit a capsule, dehiscent into 3 2-valved cocci when mature; exocarp distinct from endocarp; columella persistent. Seeds without caruncle and endosperm; cotyledons thickened and fleshy; radical minute.

About 35 species: Oceania to the tropics and subtropics of Asia; three species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Li Bingtao (李秉滔 Li Ping-tao); Michael G. Gilbert)