Combretaceae

Combretum was the name used by Pliny (born AD 23) for an unidentified climbing plant. Chiefly trees and shrubs or climbers, often deciduous or semi-deciduous. When climbing then by twining anticlockwise, or scrambling using hooks. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, domatia maybe present on the lower surface of the leaf blade. Flowers usually regular, usually 4-5-merous; stamens equal to or twice the number of petals. Ovary inferior, fruit usually fleshy, maybe winged, shape is important diagnostically. The largest genus is Terminalia, flowers often strongly smelling, pollinated chiefly by bats and moths.