| General Information |
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| Distribution | A genus of 6-10 species of Central and South America and the West Indies.
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Habit
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Large, erect shrubs or small trees with yellowish orange, translucent, bitter latex; stems softly woody.
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Leaves
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Leaves alternate, incised ± 1/2 to midrib, lower surface glaucous and puberulent, petiolate.
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Flowers
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Flowers in large, terminal, bracteate panicles; sepals 2, ovate to suborbicular, caducous; petals absent; stamens 8-24; ovary stipitate, compressed, ovules 1(2); stigmas 2.
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Fruit
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Capsules somewhat fleshy, usually erect on the upcurved gynophore, dehiscing by 2 valves from base upward.
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Seeds
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Seeds 1(2), arillate.
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