Shrubs or subshrubs, erect. Leaves opposite or whorled, short petiolate. Cymes extra-axillary, umbel-like, pendent, many flowered. Calyx glands 5 or more. Corolla rotate, deeply lobed; lobes patent or reflexed, valvate. Corona lobes 5, inserted on gynostegium, erect, hood-shaped, apex with 2 recurved or straight adaxial cusps, hood not appendaged. Filaments connate into a tube; anther appendages incurved; pollinia 2 per pollinarium, oblong, pendulous. Stigma head depressed. Follicles broadly ovoid, inflated, pericarp usually with long, soft spines or bristles. Seeds oblong.

About 50 species: tropical Africa, two in China.