Shrubs, unarmed; branches sometimes rather stout. Raphides present. Leaves opposite, without domatia; stipules persistent, interpetiolar, generally triangular, acute to bifid. Inflorescences terminal, corymbose-cymose, several to many flowered, pedunculate, with peduncles usually elongated and flexuous, bracteate, with some bracteoles on most inflorescences fused to base of hypanthium, expanded, and petaloid thus appearing to be a calycophyll. Flowers subsessile to shortly pedicellate, bisexual, distylous. Calyx limb 4-or 5-denticulate, sometimes 1 or a few flowers with 1 petaloid calycophyll. Corolla yellow, salverform or funnelform, villosulous inside; lobes 4 or 5, valvate in bud. Stamens 4 or 5, inserted in upper part of corolla tube, included or partially exserted; filaments short; anthers apparently dorsifixed. Ovary 2-celled, ovules numerous, position of placentas unknown; stigma 2-lobed, included. Fruit capsular, subglobose to obovoid, apically prolonged into a short beak, stiffly cartilaginous or leathery, septicidally dehiscent into 2 valves with each valve sometimes later splitting into 2 parts, with calyx limb, petaloid bracts, and calycophylls persistent; seeds small, flattened, with marginal wing membranous, irregular or lacerate; endosperm abundant; embryo minute.
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