Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, simple or juveniles variously lobed, entire, dentate or serrate. Conflorescence spike-like, in upper axil or terminal; flowers subtended by caducous, common bracts but without floral bracts. Perianth actinomorphic, straight or almost so; tepals separating almost to base and recurving, caducous; limb slightly enlarged. Anthers apiculate; filaments basally adnate to tepals. Hypogynous glands 4, thick, free or shortly united. Gynoecium ±straight; ovary sessile; ovules 2; style end small, not or slightly enlarged, presenting some pollen in a small terminal cup but not externally. Fruit a follicle, dehiscing at maturity and then often persisting for several years. Seeds 2, winged.
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