Shrubs or small trees, more or less stellate-pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate.
Flowers bisexual, axillary or in fascicles or in long or short spikes. Calyx tubular, 5-fid.
lobes often unequal. Petals 5, entire or somewhat 2-lipped with long claw, claws ofted
with ear-shaped appendages. Staminal column adnate to gynophore, slightly curved
towards apex, exserted, dilated above into 3 lobes, each lobe again bifurcated bearing
an anther on each tooth; anthers 2-celled; staminodes arising from inner wall of the staminal column alternately between fertile lobes. Ovary at the top of the gynophore,
5-lobed, 5-locular; styles awl-shaped, more or less united, slightly thickened and stigmatose at the tips. Follicles straight or spirally twisted. Seeds tubercled; endosperm scanty;
cotyledons leafy.
In tropics of both the hemispheres, predominantly in America, ca 60 species; 5 in
India.
