Shrubs or trees. Stipules small, caducous. Leaves decussate (occasionally some leaves alternate), or alternate (Afr. spp.), subcoriaceous or coriaceous, entire or crenulate. Cymes axillary or extra-axillary, distinctly peduncled. Flowers bisexual (unisexual in some extra-Mal. spp.), 4-5-merous. Calyx lobes imbricate. Petals imbricate, spreading. Stamens inserted on or slightly under the outer margin of the disk; filaments subulate; anthers subglobose, or deltoid, versatile, introrse. Disk fleshy, flat, orbicular to lobed. Pistil short-conical, or ± flask-like, the base slightly united with the disk, or partly immersed in it. Ovary 2-celled (3-4-celled in extra-Mal. spp.); style very short or obscure; stigma obscure or slightly 2-lobed. Ovules 2 in each cell, erect, attached at the base. Fruits indehiscent, 1-2-celled, the exocarp thin or fleshy, the endocarp firm-leathery, or mostly a stone, very rarely the mesocarp corky (C. viburnifolia). Seeds 1-2, exarillate, albuminous.
The two species in Malaysia behave very different. C. viburnifolia is a typical mangrove plant, C. glauca is a characteristic, though rare, constituent of the monsoon forest.
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