Trees or shrubs, polygamo-dioecious. Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets opposite; leaflet blades with base frequently oblique, margin entire. Flowers, globose, sessile. Male flowers forming panicles. Female or bisexual flowers forming racemes. Sepals 5, distinct or connate at base, imbricate. Petals 3, concave, imbricate in bud. Staminal tube nearly globose, slightly shorter than petals; anthers 3-6, included. Disk extremely small or absent. Ovary 3-locular, with (1 or)2 ovules per locule; style absent; stigma large, pointed or conic. Capsule septicidal with 3 valves; segments leathery. Seeds arillate.

Three species: tropical Asia, Pacific islands; one species in China.

(Authors: Peng Hua (彭华); David J. Mabberley)