Shrubs or subshrubs, dioecious or monoecious; indumentum of simple hairs. Leaves alternate; petiole usually long, apex or base of leaf blade 2-glandular; leaf blade simple, penninerved. Flowers in axillary panicles; male inflorescences many flowered, female ones few flowered, rarely female flowers inserted at base of male inflorescences (B. solanifolium); inflorescences branching. Male flowers: sepals (4 or)5 or 6, membranous, round, imbricate; petals absent; disk annular, lobed or 5-glandular; stamens 10-20, or more; filaments free; anthers 2-locular, longitudinally dehiscent; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 5 or 6, sometimes accrescent; petals absent; disk annular; ovary 3- or 4-locular; ovules 1 per locule; styles 3, bifid; stigmas bifid. Capsules 3-valved.

Recent studies of Baliospermum (e.g., Phattarahirankanok & Chayamarit in Chayamarit & Welzen, Fl. Thailand 8, 1: 120. 2005) indicate that there are rather fewer species than had been supposed. Three of the Chinese species are rather poorly known.

About eight species: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam; five species (two endemic) in China.

(Authors: Li Bingtao (李秉滔 Li Ping-tao); Michael G. Gilbert)