Several different life forms are present in the tribe: most species are shrubs, but geofructices (plants with woody rhizomes) (e.g. Fadogia homblei, Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri), small trees (e.g. Vangueria infausta), and climbers (e.g. Keetia gueinzii) also occur.
As all Rubiaceae species, the leaves are opposite, simple and entire, and they have interpetiolar stipules.
The phyllotaxis is decussate, sometimes conspicuously so (e.g. Canthium inerme), and rarely whorled (e.g. Fadogia).
Some species have spines (e.g. Canthium).
Secondary pollen presentation is characteristic for the tribe and the species develop a conspicuous “stylar head”-complex, which is a structural unit consisting of a pollen presenting organ combined with stigmatic surfaces.
Several different life forms are present in the tribe: most species are shrubs, but geofructices (plants with woody rhizomes) (e.g. Fadogia homblei, Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri), small trees (e.g. Vangueria infausta), and climbers (e.g. Keetia gueinzii) also occur. As all Rubiaceae species, the leaves are opposite, simple and entire, and they have interpetiolar stipules. The phyllotaxis is decussate, sometimes conspicuously so (e.g. Canthium inerme), and rarely whorled (e.g. Fadogia). Some species have spines (e.g. Canthium). Secondary pollen presentation is characteristic for the tribe and the species develop a conspicuous “stylar head”-complex, which is a structural unit consisting of a pollen presenting organ combined with stigmatic surfaces.
Vanguerieae