Trees or shrubs, deciduous, polygamous dioecious. Branches unarmed. Winter buds large, oblong to ovoid, with several scales. Stipules large, persistent, margin glandular. Leaves alternate, simple; leaf blade margin with gland-tipped simple, double, or incised teeth. Inflorescences inserted apically on branchlets, racemose, many-flowered; bracts soon caducous. Pedicel short. Hypanthium campanulate. Sepals and petals essentially identical. Perianth segments 10–12, to 3 mm. Stamens 20–40, in 2 whorls, irregularly inserted on rim of hypanthium. Bisexual flowers: ovary superior, (1-or)2-loculed, glabrous; ovules 2 per locule, parallel, pendulous; style terminal, slender, ± as long as stamens; stigma disc-shaped. Female flowers: stamens reduced to staminodes; carpels 2; ovary glabrous; style much shorter than staminodes; stigma capitate. Fruit a 1-or 2-seeded drupe, oblong, ± flat; mesocarp thin, fleshy, not splitting when ripe; endocarp bony, ovoid, 3-angled, apex acute.

About seven species: China, Himalayas; six species (five endemic) in China.

(Authors: Gu Cuizhi (Ku Tsue-chih); Bruce Bartholomew)