Mostly herbs, less commonly shrubs or trees. Lvs usually opposite or whorled, rarely alternate; stipules minute or 0. Fls solitary, in racemes, cymes or panicles, ☿, often heterostylous, usually actinomorphic, rarely zygomorphic; pedicels usually with 2 bracts. Calyx usually 4-6-merous, tubular; lobes valvate and often with appendages between (epicalyx). Corolla usually 4-6-merous, rarely 0, crumpled in bud, inserted towards top of calyx tube. Stamens usually twice as many as petals and inserted below them, sometimes more or numerous. Ovary superior, sessile or short-stalked, (1)-2-6-celled; style simple; stigma usually capitate. Ovules usually numerous on axile placentae; placentae sometimes not meeting top of ovary. Fr. a capsule, sometimes indehiscent. Seed numerous, non-endospermic.