Inflorescences few-to many-flowered corymbs, racemes or panicles, axillary or terminating leafy branches; bracts present and persistent, small; bracteoles present at the base of the pedicels, sometimes with a circular gland at the base.
Leaves alternate, petiolate, entire, usually with glands on the under surface at the base, and sometimes with two rows of smaller glands parallel to the margins, exstipulate.
Ovary 3-locular, but usually with 1 loculus abortive, usually densely sericeous or tomentose-sericeous; styles 2, terete, curved inwards.
Stamens 10; anthers basifixed, glabrous; filaments somewhat thickened and ± broadened and connate at the base, glabrous.
Calyx ± coriaceous, with one or more subcircular sessile or sunken glands; lobes 5, equal or subequal, obtuse.
Petals 5, white or yellow, usually unguiculate, longer than the sepals, entire or fimbriate or lacerate.
Erect suberect trailing or climbing shrubs, rarely small trees.
Samara with a straight or oblique dorsal wing.
Flowers actinomorphic or nearly so.