Fls perfect, 5-merous; receptacle adnate to ovary; corolla irregular, epig., 1-2-lipped, of valvate variously united petals; stamens alt. with corolla-lobes; anthers cohering into a tube around style. Ovary ± inferior, 2-(3)-celled; ovules ∞, axile; style girt by ring of hairs. Fr. fleshy or capsular; seeds ∞, embryo straight, endosperm cop. Herbs to small shrubs with often milky sap; lvs alt., simple, exstipulate. Some 20 widespread genera and 530 spp.

Herbs or subshrubs, rarely tall shrubs, often with milky sap. Lvs simple, alternate, exstipulate. Fls solitary or in racemes, spikes or panicles, usually ☿, zygomorphic. Calyx 5-lobed, adnate to ovary. Corolla gamopetalous, the 5 lobes variously united, 1-2-lipped, valvate. Stamens 5, sometimes epipetalous, otherwise inserted at base of corolla; anthers cohering and forming a tube around style. Ovary ± inferior, 2-3-locular, with numerous ovules; style simple or 2-lobed, with ring of hairs. Fr. fleshy and berry-like or capsular. Seeds many, small; endosperm copious.