Shrub or small to large trees. Twigs often densely hirsute, glabrescent or sometimes subglabrous. Indumentum of stellate and simple hairs; orbicular peltate trichomes present but variable in density and distribution on leaves and inflorescence. Leaves opposite and decussate, imparipinnate (commonly 2-4-jugate) or trifoliolate; tuft-domatia frequently present in axils of secondary veins in some species. Stipules interpetiolar, one pair per node, ± orbicular with apex rounded and somewhat curled back, or reniform, ± caducous. Stipels sometimes present at bases of leaflets. Inflorescences axillary, paniculate thyrses, many-flowered, branching at the proximal nodes opposite, then often soon becoming alternate, the main axes often strongly dominant and flowers borne singly or in small fascicles on relatively short, lateral axes. Flowers 4-5-merous (except gynoecium), petaliferous, ± sessile or shortly pedicellate, bisexual but markedly protandrous; in male stage, calyx lobes just separated, filaments exserted, styles very short, incurved; in female stage, calyx lobes spreading, corolla and filaments fallen, styles gradually elongating and straightening. Sepals valvate, ovate to triangular, attached to hypanthium at their greatest width, not connate, glabrous above. Petals elliptic with the base attenuate, to obovate, ± equal in length to sepals, fugaceous. Stamens with filaments thin, subulate, glabrous and anthers broadly cordate, the connective shortly extended. Disc annular to ± distinctly lobed, the number of lobes equal to the number of stamens and sometimes united in pairs, the pairs separated by the alternipetalous stamens and with the alternisepalous stamens deeply impressed on the outer surface, glabrous. Ovary syncarpous, superior, carpels 2-5, hairy, each bearing a glabrous, cylindrical style; locules each containing 6-16 ovules arranged in 2 rows; stigma terminal, small. Fruit dehiscent, capsular, the valves boat-shaped, as many as carpels, coriaceous in central part and thin at the edges (lateral extensions of the endocarp), the margins (placentae) of each valve often partially detaching to form a persistent replum, the margin on each side of a valve detached from valve at base but connate with margin of adjacent valve, then distally free from both valve and adjacent margin, and finally reunited with valve at apex; calyx and base of styles persistent. Seeds several, small, elongate, with narrow, sub-equal wings at each end.
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