OCHNACEAE

the most primitive family of the tea order (Theales), comprising some 30 genera and 430 species of tropical trees and shrubs, with a few genera of herbs. Many species are native to Brazil. The largest genus is Ouratea, with about 200 species. The tropical African and Asian genus Ochna has nearly 90 species. Members of the family usually have alternate, simple leaves with parallel lateral veins. They have clustered flowers, usually with five petals and sepals. Fun shrub, or carnival bush (Ochna multiflora), reaches 1.5 m (5 feet) and has evergreen leaves. Its yellow, buttercup-like flowers have sepals that turn scarlet and remain after the petals fall. There are 3 to 15 projecting, jet-black seeds. Some species of Ochna and Ouratea are planted as ornamentals.