Trees or shrubs, latex present. Branches slender, terete. Leaves decussate, leathery, glabrous, with a conspicuous marginal vein and numerous, straight lateral veins. Cymes corymbose or subpaniculate, terminal or axillary. Flowers 5-merous. Calyx small, without glands. Corolla salverform, tube cylindric, inflated in distal half; lobes shorter than tube, overlapping to left; corona absent. Stamens inserted in inflated portion of corolla tube, included; anthers narrowly ovate; disc absent. Ovaries distinct or connate at base; ovules 2-4 per locule. Style filiform; pistil head thickened, apex minute, 2-cleft. Berry 1- or 2-seeded. Seeds ovate or oblong, without coma; cotyledons leaflike, radicle erect.

Ten species: tropical Africa, one extending into tropical Asia, including China.