Herbs, shrubs, climbers or trees, glabrous or hairy, sometimes glandular. Lvs alternate, petiolate, simple to digitate-compound; stipules spiny or 0. Infl. a bracteate or ebracteate raceme, rarely fls solitary. Fls hypogynous, usually ☿, actinomorphic or sometimes weakly zygomorphic. Sepals (2)-4-(8), free or connate, in 2 equal or unequal whorls. Petals (2)-4, rarely more, free, sessile or clawed. Stamens (1)-4-6-(many), free, sometimes connate and adnate to the gynophore. Nectar glands sometimes present on receptacle. Ovary superior, 1-3-locular, usually raised on a gynophore; placentation parietal; ovules 1-many. Stigma simple. Fr. a berry, or a capsule dehiscing by 2 valves to leave a replum. Seeds 1-many, arillate or not; embryo curved; endosperm 0.