Deciduous or rarely evergreen lianes; bark remaining adherent, lenticellate; pith white, continuous. Tendrils branched, often with adhesive disc-like tips. Lvs palmately compound or simple, long-petiolate. Fls in lf-opposed pedunculate cymes or panicles, mostly ☿. Calyx 5-lobed, minute. Petals (4)-5, free, usually spreading, sometimes deflexed, persistent at least briefly after anthesis. Disc adnate to base of ovary, scarcely distinguishable. Ovary 2-celled; ovules 2 per cell; style very short. Berry 1-4-seeded, dark blue or blackish, often with glaucous bloom; flesh thin.