Shrubs, rarely scrambling, or small trees, evergreen or deciduous; indumentum glandular, stellate or lepidote. Lvs usually opposite, entire or toothed, with a stipular ridge connecting the lf pair, or occasionally stipules well-developed. Fls usually in dense panicles, sometimes in racemes, spikes or globular heads; peduncle ± quadrangular. Calyx campanulate. Corolla funnelform or campanulate, usually narrowly so; limb usually < tube and patent. Fr. usually a 2-valved septicidal capsule, rarely a berry; calyx and corolla often persistent. Seeds numerous, minute.