Shrubs or trees, evergreen or deciduous. Leaves usually borne towards ends of branches, alternate, simple; stipules absent; petiole present or absent; blade margins entire. Inflorescences terminal or axillary racemes, each flower in axil of caducous or persistent bract. Flowers bisexual; perianth and androecium hypogynous; sepals (4-)5(-8), connate at least proximally; petals (4-)5(-8), distinct; nectary disc present; stamens 5 or 10, outer (only) whorl antisepalous, distinct; pistils 1, 2-5-carpellate; ovary superior, 2-5-locular; placentation axile; ovules anatropous, unitegmic, tenuinucellate; styles 1, hollow; stigmas 2-5-lobed [unlobed]. Fruits berrylike or samaralike, dry, indehiscent. Seeds usually absent, sometimes 1 per locule, narrowly ovoid; seed coat absent; embryo straight; endosperm copious.
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