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Identification
- Leaves simple, alternate, entire.
- Blade often soft and somewhat succulent.
- Without stipules.
- Flowers small, white to pink, with 4-5 tepals.
- Fruit a fleshy berry with one to several seeds.
Diagnosis: Treelets or weak shubs, without stipules, leaves simple, alternate, entire, fruit a red, 1-seeded berry (Rivina) or black, ribbed, several-seeded berry (Phytolacca).
Similar families
| Amaranthaceae | : petiole continuous with twig, leaf blade membranous, berry dry with flat seeds. |
| Solanaceae | : petiole separate from twig; if blade not membranous, then with rank odor, berry juicy. |
Diversity: Total: 4 genera, 7 species. Treelets: 1 genus, 1 species.
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