Sepals 4-8, petaloid, valvate; petals 0; stamens ∞, anthers adnate. Carpels ∞; ovule solitary, suspended. Fruit a cluster of sessile achenes with elongate persistent styles. Soft-wooded lianes or sub-shrubs with opp. us. compound lvs. Some 250 spp., mainly of temperate regions. The N.Z. spp. are endemic and dioec. or polygamo-dioec.

Perennial woody climbers or rarely terrestrial herbs. Lvs cauline, opposite, simple to ternate to 1-2-pinnate; leaflets entire or lobed. Fls ☿ or unisexual, solitary or in axillary fascicles or simple to compound dichasial cymes; involucre 0 but bracts sometimes connate in pairs. Perianth of 1 petaloid whorl of sepals; sepals 4-6-(8), white, yellow, pink, blue or violet, without nectaries or spurs. Stamens many, spiralled; staminodes present or 0, sometimes petaloid or nectariferous. Carpels with 1 functional ovule. Achenes many, lanceolate to ovate; style elongated and feathery. Receptacle glabrous or hairy.