Herbs or small shrubs. Leaves ovate or elliptic. Inflorescences in terminal or axillary spikes, racemes or panicles; 1 bract and 2 bracteoles subtending each flower or flower cluster. Flowers with the calyx segments 4 or 5, subulate; corolla white, blue, purplish or pink, the tube narrow, the limb spreading, the 5 lobes subequal; stamens 2, included or exserted, the staminodes 2, minute, the anther cells basally obtuse or acute. Capsules long stipitate; seeds 2 or 4.