Dioecious, usually spinous trees, shrubs or climbers. Lvs alternate, entire or toothed; venation pinnate. Stipules caducous, leaving little or no scar. Infls axillary; ♂ infl. paniculate, spicate or capitate; ♀ infl. capitate or shortly spicate; ♀ fls sessile. Calyx of ♂ fls 4-partite and segments free; stamens 4, inflexed or straight in bud. Calyx of ♀ fls deeply 4-lobed or 4-partite and segments free; ovules pendulous; fruiting calyx enlarged, fleshy, closely united into a large globose syncarp. Achenes hidden within calyx; endosperm 0.