Chiropetalum  

Shrubs or shrub-like, monoecious. Exudate absent. Unarmed*. Indumentum present, hairs 2-armed, sometimes also with simple and/or stellate hairs. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin toothed or entire, teeth with or without glands, blade not pellucid-punctate; with 3 – 5 veins from base; domatia absent*; stipel-like appendages absent*. Petiole present or almost 0 (leaves subsessile), without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence with axis, axillary, racemose to almost spicate, usually short, unisexual (all male) or bisexual (females at the base); bracts not leaf-like*, green. Male flowers: pedicels short or almost 0, not articulated*; sepals 5, valvate, partially fused, greenish; petals 5, imbricate or not, free, clawed, glabrous, greenish; disc glands 5, outside the staminal whorl (extrastaminal); stamens 3–5, partially united into a column; anthers in a single whorl, without conspicuous modification, thecae introrse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: pedicels short, not articulated*; sepals 5, valvate, free, greenish; petals 1–5, glabrous, greenish; disc glands 5, surrounding the ovary; ovary locules 3, ovules per locule 1; styles 3, free or partially fused, style 2-branched (i.e. ultimate divisions per locule 2), styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, unsculptured*, hairy, greenish to brown; seed without appendage, covering or membraneous layer*, not fleshy; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.

An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.

World Checklist: about 25 spp.