Prostrate shrublets to tall trees. Lvs alternate, often simple and entire, otherwise toothed, lobed, 1-2-pinnatifid or pinnate, sometimes spine-tipped. Fls in axillary or terminal, elongated or reduced and umbel-like racemes, ☿, pedicellate; bracts usually caducous. Perianth usually somewhat irregular; tube usually revolute and curved under limb, sometimes straight; limb usually globular with segments soon becoming revolute. Anthers sessile in the concave perianth segments. Nectary usually semi-circular, sometimes 2-lobed or ± annular or 0. Ovary usually stipitate, rarely sessile, glabrous; ovules 2. Style persistent, usually ± = perianth, curved and protruding from slit on lower side of perianth tube before apex is free from limb, straightening out at anthesis; apex ± dilated, forming an oblique disc or an erect or lateral cone; stigma small. Fr. a coriaceous or rarely woody follicle, with inner faces of valves concave. Seeds 1-2, with narrow and ± annular wing or wingless.