Lauraceae

Trees or large shrubs. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite, conspicuous or reduced to scales, entire, gland-dotted, usually aromatic; stipules absent. Flowers regular, bisexual or unisexual. Perianth segments 6 or 4. Stamens perigynous, usually in multiples of the perianth segments, in 2 rows, free, usually with glands at the base; anthers opening by valves from the base upwards. Ovary superior, enveloped in the floral tube, 1-carpellary, with a solitary basal ovule. Fruit a berry or drupe or the floral tube enlarging and ± enclosing the fruit and rarely adnate to it. 30 gen., mainly trop. and subtrop.