Philesiaceae

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Philesiaceae A family of monocotyledonous (see MONOCOTYLEDON) shrubs, climbers, and epiphytes, closely allied to the Amaryllidaceae, which have alternate, simple leaves without stipules. The flowers are regular, bisexual, large, and pendulous; they are axillary or held terminally, and are usually solitary. There are 3 sepals and 3 petals, the sepals and petals often resembling one another. There are 3 stamens, with large anthers. The ovary is superior, with 3 fused carpels, and is either uni-, or trilocular, with a simple, 3-lobed style. The fruit is a berry. There are 7 genera and 9 species, all of them confined to the southern hemisphere.