Herbs or shrubs, erect or climbing, rarely softly wooded trees. Lvs alternate, simple, entire, usually exstipulate. Fls usually ☿, rarely unisexual, usually actinomorphic, in terminal, axillary or sometimes lf-opposed racemes or spikes, bracteate and bracteolate. Perianth (calyx) of free or partly united tepals; tepals 4-10, green or coloured, equal or unequal, imbricate, often persistent. Corolla 0. Stamens generally 4-10 and alternate to tepals, or more numerous; filaments free or connate at base, usually inserted on a prominent hypogynous disc. Ovary superior, of 2-16, free or connate carpels, generally with 1 basal ovule to each carpel. Style short or 0; stigmas as many as carpels. Fr. usually a berry-like drupe, rarely an achene, capsule, or a true berry. Seed with annular embryo, with or without an aril, endospermic.