Evergreen polygamous-monoecious trees or shrubs. Leaves entire or denticulate above the middle, penninerved. Stipules small, caducous, leaving small scars. Flowers in headlike spikes or racemes, free, sustained by 0-2 groups of 3(-2) lanceolate small bracts. Calyx and petals lacking. Stamens in ♀ flowers lacking, in ☿ or ♂ flowers 1-8; filaments of varying length, subulate; anthers basifix, ellipsoid, with 4 pollen sacs, 2-celled, dehiscing laterally with 2 longitudinal slits; connective apiculate. Staminodes lacking. Disk lacking. Ovary in male flowers lacking, in ☿ and female flowers superior, 2-celled, each cell with 1 pendent ovule; styles 2, subulate, divergent; adaxially with decurrent papillose stigmas. Fruits free, 2-celled, 2-or 4-valved, woody; endocarp loosening from the exocarp. Seeds 1 in each cell, oblong to ovoid, wingless; albumen present.