Tall trees, usually ± glabrous. Leaves dentate to almost entire. Inflorescences axillary, narrow thyrsoid panicles, usually 3–5-flowered; bracts small, caducous before anthesis. Flowers bisexual. Hypanthium ovoid to shortly campanulate. Perianth of 8 tepals in 2 whorls. Androecium of 4 whorls; outer (1 or 2) whorls each of 4 stamens, each with 2 short appendages (glands) at base of filament; connective shortly prolonged above anthers; inner (2 or 3) whorls each of 4 staminodes. Carpels usually 8–16; styles terminal. Fruiting hypanthium enlarged, ellipsoid to cylindrical, glabrous, dehiscent regularly into 4, sometimes 2, equal valves; perianth not persistent; staminodes sometimes persistent. Achenes narrowly ellipsoid, silky hirsute on one side, in deep pits on inner wall of hypanthium.