Shrubs or small trees. Leaves simple, alternate to subopposite, often crowded towards the ends of branches, petiolate; lamina obovate to oblanceolate, base cuneate, venation obvious, glands globular, irregularly rounded to lineate. Inflorescence paniculate, arising from the axils of the uppermost leaves, bud scales lanceolate, caducous; pedicel length varies with the stage of development. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous, glands rounded and/or lineate; calyx deeply divided; corolla urceolate, tube longer than or equal to the lobes (Australian species), glands if present globose, dark red or pellucid; stamens with filaments fused at base to the corolla tube, ligulate distally, anthers dorsifixed near base, longitudinally dehiscent; ovary superior, attenuating into a slender style which elongates after anthesis; stigma small and discoid; ovules in Australian species 4–7, embedded in placenta. Fruit a drupe, globose, reddish, numerous glands present, endocarp crustaceous often angled; style usually persistent. Seed one, size various, embryo transverse, thin, curved, cotyledons elongate.
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