Description: Trees or shrubs.
Leaves opposite, petiolate, 3-veined from base and with numerous ± transverse veins, upper surface glabrous, lower surface often distinctly hairy.
Inflorescences axillary, solitary or clustered. Flowers 4-merous. Hypanthium not extending beyond the ovary summit. Sepals free, persistent in fruit. Petals free, obovate to ± circular. Stamens very numerous. Ovary 1-locular; placentas usually 2, parietal, each bearing several ovules; style slender, stigma usually capitate.
Fruit a small berry; seeds few, globose to reniform, testa bony; embryo curved, cotyledons very small.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 28 species, China to New Caledonia, Australia. Australia: 13 species (endemic), Qld, N.S.W.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves glabrous or with scattered hairs along the veins below | Rhodamnia maideniana |
| Leaves with a distinct indumentum on the lower surface | 2 |
| 2 | Lower surface of leaves white with very fine, matted hairs | 3 |
| Lower surface of leaves pubescent with erect hairs
Back to 1 | Rhodamnia rubescens |
| 3 | Petals more or less glabrous outside; primary leaf veins 1–3 mm from the margin | Rhodamnia whiteana |
| Petals white-hairy outside; primary leaf veins 4–6 mm from the margin
Back to 2 | Rhodamnia argentea |
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