Infl. various; fls us. perfect, regular; sepals 4-5, imbricate, sts connate at base; petals 4-5, imbricate, us. free; disk between stamens and ovary; stamens 3-10 or occ. more, attached to disk; anthers 2-celled, introrse, dehiscing lengthwise, connective often glandular. Ovary superior, us. 4-5-lobed, sts of free carpels; placentae axile, ovules often superposed. Fr. various, seed with large embryo. Mostly shrubs or trees with gland-dotted, aromatic, alt. or opp., simple or compound, exstipulate lvs. A widely distributed family with over 100 genera and 1000 spp.

Shrubs or trees, rarely herbs, usually aromatic. Lvs simple or compound, sometimes apparently simple but reduced, mostly dotted with translucent glands, exstipulate. Infls cymose or fls solitary. Fls usually ☿, actinomorphic. Sepals 4-5, imbricate, free or connate. Petals 4-5, usually imbricate and free. Stamens usually as many or twice as many as petals, rarely numerous; connective often glandular at the apex. Disc prominent, annular, situated at base of stamens. Ovary superior, (2)-4-14-(15)-celled, sometimes apocarpous; placentae axile; ovules 1-many, superposed; styles free or connate. Fr. usually a berry, drupe, or capsule, rarely a samara. Seeds with or without endosperm.