Shrubs, erect, dioecious. Stems glabrous to tomentose. Leaves simple, opposite or alternate; sessile to petiolate; lamina unlobed or (2–) 3 (–5)-lobed, glabrous or stellate-tomentose; margins entire to crenate or serrate, often glandular. Stipular glands usually present. Conflorescences terminal, sometimes appearing leaf opposed; bracts often with a pair of glands at base. Male conflorescences with shortly pedicellate flowers in clusters of 3–12; bract triangular to ovate. Male flowers: sepals 4 (5), valvate, ovate to lanceolate; petals absent; stamens 30+, crowded on convex receptacle, with very short filaments and anthers with a terminal appendage. Female conflorescences with pedicellate flowers in clusters of 1–8; bracts triangular to ovate, often with a pair of glands at base. Female flowers: sepals 3–6 (–8), whorled, imbricate, ovate, triangular to lanceolate; ovary glabrous or shortly stellate-pubescent, 3-locular, each uni-ovulate; styles (2) 3 (4), free or basally connate, bifid, yellow to red, papillate. Capsule separates as 3 mericarps; seeds globular to ovoid, carunculate, testa crustaceous.
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