Weinmannia is the largest genus in the Cunoniaceae, with 150–160 species, ranging from Central and South America to the Indian Ocean (Comores, Madagascar and the Mascarenes), Malesia and the South Pacific (Bradford 1998, Bradford et al. 2004). Most species are found in tropical montane forest, though several occur in the southern temperate zone. Weinmannia are canopy trees, shrubs, or rarely, epiphytes or stranglers. Branches develop from axillary buds, but in some species the apical bud aborts, producing dichotomous branching. The leaves are opposite and decussate, and may be simple or imparipinnate, though the terminal leaflet may be missing. There is great variation in leaf and leaflet size across the genus. The petiole and/or rachis may be winged, and stipules are always present. Flowers are densely clustered along racemes that are grouped into partial inflorescences; rarely, racemes develop directly on the main stem. Partial inflorescences may also be grouped together. The flowers can be hermaphrodite or unisexual and are rather uniform. They are white, cream or pink, 4– or 5-merous, and may be fragrant or not. The capsules are also rather uniform, leathery, dehiscent and with two valves, and the seeds have long hairs (Allan 1961, Bradford 1998, Hopkins 1998a).