Glabrous unarmed shrubs, often unbranched (sympodial). Leaves with a petiole having a dilated sheath encircling the stem and (in dried material) a constriction at the apex, and with a leaf-blade either unifoliolate or digitately compound, the central leaflet, or the three central leaflets, sometimes digitately lobed or compound. Inflorescence terminal (but sympodium often continued by axillary branching), the peduncle bearing umbellately arranged branches which terminate either in umbellules or in cymes. Flowers male or hermaphrodite, the male flowers either in distinct inflorescences or towards the periphery of mixed inflorescences. Pedicel articulated below the flower. Calyx lobes 5-6, triangular or lanceolate. Petals 5-6, narrowed below into a distinct claw, and above into a long incurved process. Stamens 5-6; anthers subglobose. Ovary inferior, with two uni-ovulate cells. Disk prominent, with a crenulate margin. Styles 2, subulate, free, recurved in fruit. Fruit strongly compressed, 2-seeded (or one aborted), with a longitudinal furrow between the seeds; exocarp leathery, endocarp cartilaginous. Endosperm smooth.
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