The Sterculiaceae are trees, shrubs, or herbs comprising about 65 genera and 1,000 species that are further characterized by the presence of stellate hairs. The leaves are alternate and simple or infrequently palmately lobed or compound; stipules are present but they are shed early. The flowers are actinomorphic or rarely zygomorphic, and are bisexual or not uncommonly functionally unisexual. The perianth is commonly uniseriate, consisting of 3-5 valvate, basally connate sepals, but sometimes an equal number of petals are also present. The androecium most frequently consists of two whorls of 5 stamens each, these united by their filaments into a tube that commonly surrounds the ovary or arises from an androgynophore. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of usually 4-5 sometimes weakly associated carpels, an equal number of distinct or variously connate styles, and a superior ovary with usually 4-5 locules, each with 2-several axile ovules. The fruit is variable; sometimes the carpels are completely distinct at maturity.