Shrubs or herbs. Leaves opposite or 3-4(-6) per node, membranous; stipules interpetiolar with a basal sheath. Inflorescence terminal, cymose. Flowers di-morphic, calycine lobes 4, persistent; corolla tubular or salverform, the lobes 4, valvate; stamens 4, the anthers linear or oblong, in pin flowers included and subsessile, in thrum flowers included and with filaments distinct and exserted; styles of 2 lengths, usually slender, the ovary 2-celled, the ovules numerous, attached peltately to a complete septum. Fruits capsular, globose or oblate, de-hiscing at first loculicidally, then septicidally; seeds numerous, vertically imbri-cate, winged, the wing entire.
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