Dioec. Fls sessile, us. densely crowded in simple to compound spadices. Per. lacking or greatly reduced. In ♂ stamens few to ∞, filaments filiform, short or long, anthers dehiscing longitudinally, pollen adhesive; ovary absent or rudimentary. In ♀ staminodes commonly lacking but occ. present; ovary of 1 to ∞ variously connate carpels, 1- to ∞-locular; placentae parietal; styles absent or ± conical; stigmas as many as carpels, commonly reniform or hippocrepiform. Fr. drupaceous or baccate, fibrous to succulent. Seed small with cop. oily endosperm. Trees or shrubs, often scandent, us. with aerial roots. Lvs simple, linear to lanceolate, sheathing at base. Genera 3, predominantly tropical.