PLANT: Shrubs or small trees.

LEAVES: alternate, often clustered on short branches, simple, entire.

FLOWERS: terminal or axillary; sepals 5, 4-5 mm long; petals 5, 9-15 mm long; stamens numerous, usually 15 or more; gynoecium stipitate, 1-5 free carpels; stigmas capitate, oblique.

FRUITS: horizontally wrinkled or reticulately marked; adaxial suture cartilaginous.

SEEDS: 4-many with a whitish or yellowish fimbriate aril.

NOTES: 2 spp.; U.S. and Mex. (Greek: krossoi = fringe + soma = body, because of the aril).