Pajukasvit – Salicaceae

1000 spp

Plants sometimes with spines or glands in leaves. Leaf margin usually serrate with salicoid teeth. Often transparent lines in the leaf blade. Sometimes leaf venation strongly 3-veined. Often many sepals and petals (3–15) and >15 stamens. A very variable morphology: according to Al Gentry "If you don't know the family, try Salicaceae or Euphorbiaceae.".

Trees, shrubs

Leaves alternate (opposite), sometimes distichous; simple; margin usually serrate with salicoid teeth; small stipules; often transparent dots or lines in the blade. Sometimes strongly 3-veined leaves with glands at the base of the leaf blade or tip of the petiole.

3-8(-15) sepals and petals, 1+1 or 1+2 whorls; (4-) 15-many stamens, bisexual or dioecious, ovary superior (part inferior).

Fruit a capsule, berry (most often) or drupe.

Often one of the most prominent understory tree families in Neotropical rain forests.