Shrubs or trees; dioecious. Leaves opposite, simple, variously toothed or entire, with distinct petioles. Inflorescences axillary cymes or panicles. Flowers unisexual; receptacle flat to subglobose; perianth segments up to 10, inflexed. Male flowers with numerous, sessile anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Female flowers with numerous carpels, without staminodes. Aggregate fruit of drupes.
About 25 species in South-east Asia, Pacific islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand; 2 species endemic to Australia.
Source:
Foreman, D.B. (1996). Monimiaceae (including Atherospermataceae). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 25–26. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
