Shrubs parasitic, some parts with stellate hairs. Leaves alternate or subopposite, pinnately veined. Inflorescences axillary, sometimes at leafless node, racemes or spikes; 1 bract subtending each flower, shorter than calyx. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous, actinomorphic or zygomorphic by the presence of a single lateral split of varying length. Calyx ovoid or urceolate, limb annular or cupular, persistent. Mature flower bud tubular. Corolla sympetalous, tube inflated, tip clavate, lobes reflexed or twisted with age. Stamens inserted at base of corolla lobes; filaments short, flattened; anthers 4-loculed. Pollen grain trilobate in polar view. Ovary 1-loculed; placentation basal. Style filiform, 5-angled; stigma capitate. Berry ovoid, exocarp leathery.

About 30 species: tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia; one species in China.