About 90 species of evergreen, dioecious shrubs and small trees from Australasia, Polynesia, Malaysia and Chile. They have opposite pairs of simple, often leathery leaves and inconspicuous tubular flowers followed by red, pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple or black berries.

Uses

The Australasian species described here range from hardy to half-hardy. The former are well worth trying on the rock garden, and both they and the smaller half-hardy ones make pleasing alpine house subjects. Unfortunately, at least two plants, one of each sex are needed to produce one fruiting specimen, but the two plants can be of different, though preferably allied species. Ordinary reasonably well drained soil and a sunny site are basic requirements. Propagation by seed when ripe or cuttings in late summer, also layering at almost any time is a foolproof method.