Fls us. perig., small, perfect, regular, in axillary corymbose cymes or fascicles, 5-(4)-merous; sepals valvate; petals us. clawed, sts 0. Stamens opp. petals, outside disk lining rim of receptacle; anthers 2-celled, dehiscing lengthwise. Ovary 2-4-carpelled, superior or apparently inferior; ovules 1-(2) per locule, with basal placenta. Fr. drupaceous or capsular, the carpels separating into cocci; seeds with large embryo. Mostly trees, shrubs or woody lianes with us. alt., simple, stipulate lvs. Widely distributed family of some 45 genera and 550 spp.

Trees or shrubs, very rarely herbs, sometimes spiny, sometimes lianoid. Lvs simple, mostly alternate, mostly stipulate. Fls usually in cymes, sometimes in fascicles or panicles, small, perigynous, usually ☿, occasionally unisexual. Calyx 4-5-lobed, tubular. Petals 3-5 or 0, inserted at mouth of calyx tube, often forming a hood over stamens. Stamens 4-5, antipetalous. Disc on calyx tube fleshy, intrastaminal. Ovary superior but sometimes partly immersed in disc, 2-4-celled; ovules 1-(2), erect from the base. Style shortly lobed. Fr. usually a drupe, sometimes a capsule, sometimes winged. Seed with large straight embryo and with or without endosperm.