Glabrous trees. Lvs opposite or nearly so, usually with many glandular dots. Infl. a terminal, much-branched, many-flowered panicle. Fls usually 2-3 in axes of each peduncle. Hypanthium produced beyond ovary; calyx lobes very short. Petals 4-5, very small, usually united to form lid or operculum, sometimes free, caducous. Stamens numerous, in more than 1 whorl, free, irregular in length, the outer short and not greatly incurved in bud, at least the inner > petals; anthers apically dehiscent (poricidal or by a short slit), versatile; lobes divergent. Ovary 2-3-celled, with few ovules; style very short. Fr. baccate, globose or nearly so; seed 1.

Usually trees, sometimes shrubs, nearly always glabrous. Lvs opposite, often glandular. Infl. usually terminal, cymose or paniculate, sometimes fls solitary, sometimes cauliflorous; bracteoles mainly inconspicuous and fugaceous; pseudopedicel mostly present. Hypanthium obovoid-clavate, turbinate, obconic or campanulate, sometimes produced beyond ovary; calyx lobes 4-5, often inconspicuous. Petals 4-5, often forming a calyptrum, generally caducous. Stamens numerous, in several to many whorls, free, > petals, much incurved in bud; anthers variable; anther sacs usually parallel. Ovary 2-(3)-celled, with tissue often spongy; ovules few to many; style often long and exserted. Fr. baccate, globular to subcylindric, ellipsoid, obovoid, 1-2-seeded.