Rubiaceae -- the madder or coffee family (450-606/ 6500; Mostly tropical)
Habit herbs, shrubs, woody vines or trees
Leaves opposite or whorled; simple; stipulate; stipules aften fused together, forming interpetiolar stipules
Inflorescences variously cymose, sometimes solitary or in heads
Special floral characters flowers perfect, regular, often showy
Calyx 4 or 5 sepals, connate or distinct
Corolla 4 or 5 petals, connate (=sympetalous), actinomorphic
Androecium 4 or 5 stamens, distinct; filaments adnate to corolla (=epipetalous)
Gynoecium 2 carpels, connate; inferior ovary; 2 locules with many axile ovules/locule; 1 style, undivided
Fruit= berry, drupe, capsule, or schizocarp
(Floral formula: Ca 4-5 Co 4-5 A 4-5 G 2 )