Evergreen trees, with alternate adult leaves that are usually lanceolate and may be curved (falcate).  Juvenile leaves are opposite and often of different shape to adult leaves; e.g. rounded and clasping stem.  Flowers solitary or in small clusters, with numerous stamens; the petals are united into a hood that covers the unopened flower.  Bark often flaking in long strips or patches.  Fast-growing, but most species not fully hardy in our area and may die back in cold winters.

See key in Stace (4th edition).  The number of flowers in a cluster and the details and measurements of flowers, buds and fruit are used in identification. 

Parks and gardens; may increasingly be planted for forestry and 'carbon capture' woodlands.  

Introduced from Tasmania and SE Australia; some species self-sow in the southern parts of UK, but rarely.