Ritchiea

Shrubs, trees or lianes. Leaves alternate or more rarely subverticillate or subopposite; petioles often rather long; blade 3-5-foliolate or by reduction 1-foliolate or simple. Inflorescence in terminal or axillary racemes. Flowers bisexual. Sepals 4, valvate, in a single series arising from a cupular receptacle with margin slightly thickened and annular. Petals 4 or many, often longer than sepals. Androgynophore very short. Stamens 12-many; filaments slender, long, outer ones sometimes sterile and petaloid. Ovary borne on a gynophore, 1-locular with 2-4 multi-ovulate placentas; stigma sessile or on a short style. Fruit cylindric, ellipsoid or ovoid, with 3-8 coriaceous valves or indehiscent. Seeds many, embedded in a fleshy pulp.