Shrubs decumbent or subshrubby herbs; branchlets ribbed. Leaves opposite or verticillate, entire; stipules caducous, minute. Flowers small, bisexual or unisexual, solitary or arranged in a raceme. Sepals 5, imbricate. Petals 5, valvate, smaller than sepals, fleshy, keeled within, enlarged and enclosing carpels after anthesis and forming a pseudodrupe. Stamens 10 in 2 series, free and opposite to petals; anthers exserted, large, 2-celled, longitudinally dehiscent. Carpels 5-10, free; ovary superior; ovule 1 per locule, pendulous, anatropous; styles 5, free, linear; stigma recurved. Pseudodrupe (capsule) oblate, red to black when mature; endosperm thin or absent, embryo erect.

Ming Tien lu. 1980. Coriariaceae. In: Cheng Mien & Ming Tien lu, eds., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 45(1): 62-66.

One genus and ca. 15 species: China and Himalayan region to Japan, Philippines, and Pacific islands (New Zealand); Central and South America (Mexico to Chile), Mediterranean region; three species in China.

(Authors: Min Tianlu (闵天禄 Ming Tien-lu); Anthony R. Brach)