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Ternstroemioideae

plant subfamily

Quick Summary

Ternstroemioideae is a subfamily of flowering plants within the family Pentaphylacaceae. This group primarily consists of evergreen shrubs and trees that are abundant in Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America. The subfamily is characterized by small flowers borne singly in the leaf axils and curved embryos.

The genus Ternstroemia, which is part of this subfamily, contains over 90 pantropical species. These plants typically have leaves that lack teeth and are inserted around the stem, appearing only at the end of growth periods. Ternstroemieae are known for their fleshy, animal-dispersed fruits.12

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