Herbs perennial, ± succulent, without latex. Rhizome elongate, robust, often ± woody. Leaves alternate; leaf blade large, asymmetric at base. Inflorescence an axillary cyme or cincinnus, solitary or 2 or 3 together; pedicels short or absent. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic except calyx. Calyx tube campanulate or tubular; calyx lobes 5, persistent, often white, unequal in width, often 2 wider and other 3 narrower. Corolla adnate to calyx as far as distal part of calyx, 5-cleft for more than halfway, or nearly fully divided and appearing petaloid, often white. Stamens 5, alternate with corolla lobes, inserted at proximal part of corolla tube; filament glabrous; anther ovoid or long ellipsoid, introrse or almost lateral due to connective being developed and exserted higher than anther cells. Ovary inferior, 2-loculed; ovules numerous; stigma capitate or conic, entire. Fruit an indehiscent berry. Seeds numerous, minute, ovoid or ovoid-globose; testa obviously reticulate.
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