Seeds moderately numerous, ovoid or compressed, with a crustaceous testa, arillate at the base, sometimes pubescent; embryo straight, cotyledons foliaceous, ovate.
Stamens ?, in two series, the outer somewhat longer than the inner; filaments slender, rather short; anthers linear, dehiscing by slits.
Fruit a globose, tardily dehiscent, echinate capsule splitting into 3–5 longitudinal valves (? or indehiscent).
Flowers in axillary, cymose panicles, racemes or fascicles, bisexual or unisexual, rarely dioecious.
Leaves petiolate with more or less caducous stipules; lamina serrate and frequently cordate.
Ovary 1-locular, with 3–5 parietal multiovulate placentas; style simple, apex subentire.
Petals 6–12, imbricate, larger than the sepals.
Sepals 3, subvalvate, free to the base.
Unarmed shrubs or small trees.