Shrubs, or small trees, occasionally ± herbaceous. Indumentum usually present; hairs glandular, stellate or lepidote. Lvs usually opposite or verticillate, very rarely alternate, simple, often bullate. Infl. cymose, racemose, paniculate, or rarely fls solitary. Fls actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic, ☿, 4-merous. Calyx 4-lobed. Corolla 4-lobed, imbricate, tubular. Stamens 4, inserted on corolla tube; filaments free or 0; anthers included or exserted. Ovary 2-locular, superior or semi-inferior; ovules numerous, on axile placentas. Style 1; stigma entire or 2-lobed. Fr. usually a septicidal capsule, rarely a drupe or berry. Seeds often winged; endosperm scanty.