Staphylea L.

Shrubs or small trees. Leaves opposite, trifoliolate or pinnate; leaflets serrulate, glabrescent on upper surface, finely pubescent beneath, apex acuminate; base obtuse or cuneate; lateral leaflets subsessile; terminal petioled. Flowers in dense cymes, bisexual, pendulous. Sepals 5, coloured, caducous. Petals 5, imbricate, white. Stamens 5; filaments slender. Ovary 2 - 3-lobed; styles 2 - 3, slender; stigmas subcapitate; ovules 6 or more in each locule, in 2 - rows, anatropous. Capsules up to 7 cm long, dehiscing at apex. Seeds subglobose.

North America, Europe and Asia; ca 4 species, 1 in India.

List of Lower Taxa