Subshrubs, twining or climbing, monoecious; indumentum of simple and stinging hairs. Leaves alternate; stipules conspicuous, persistent; leaf blade simple, palmately 3-5-veined. Inflorescences terminal or leaf-opposed, unbranched, bisexual, male flowers distal, female flowers proximal. Male flowers: calyx base somewhat hollowed with raised rim, calyx lobes 3, valvate; petals absent; disk absent; stamens 3, erect, alternate with lobes; filaments free, short and thick; connective thickened, produced into a linear, reflexed appendage, locules distinct, divergent, introrse; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 3 or 6, accrescent; ovary 3-locular, strigose; ovules 1 per locule; styles 3, base connate, upper parts spreading, plumose-papillose. Fruit a capsule, 3-locular. Seeds globose; testa crustaceous, with a fleshy coat.
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