Calyx tube cylindric, often slightly curved, usually circumscissile above the ovary; lobes 5 (rarely 4), outer slightly larger than the inner.
Ovary 1-locular; disk cupular, irregularly lobed; style lateral, filiform; stigma capitate, papillose.
Branches dark-or greyish-brown, striate, glabrous.
Stamens 10, 2-whorled, inserted on the calyx tube.
Inflorescence a dense, peduncled, terminal head.
Deciduous, much branched shrubs and trees.
Petals lacking.