Deciduous, dioecious tree with thick branches. Winter buds with acuminate scales. Lvs alternate, large, membranous, palmately veined, slightly toothed; stipules small and caducous; petiole slender, glandular. Fls in long, tomentulose pendulous racemes or panicles; bracts minute. Sepals (3)-5-(6), imbricate, deciduous. Petals 0. Stamens numerous; filaments hairy towards base, inserted on a small glandular disc. ♀ fls with numerous, small staminodes; ovary superior, 1-locular; globose; placentae and style (3)-5-(6); stigmas ± clavate; ovules numerous. Fr. a berry with little succulence, globose, red, with numerous seeds.