Shrubs or herbs, woody at base, rarely small trees. Lvs usually opposite, rarely alternate, usually pinnately compound, fleshy or coriaceous; stipules present and persistent, often spinescent. Fls usually in cymes, sometimes solitary, ☿, usually actinomorphic, sometimes zygomorphic. Sepals (4)-5, usually free and imbricate. Petals (4)-5, rarely 0, usually imbricate or contorted. Hypogynous disc usually present. Stamens 1, 2, or 3× as many as sepals, opposite petals; filaments often unequal in length and with attached scale. Ovary superior; carpels usually 2-5, very rarely more; ovules 1-many in each loculus; placentation axile; style simple. Fr. a capsule or a ± fleshy schizocarp. Seeds generally endospermic.