Subshrubs, twining, monoecious; indumentum of simple and stinging hairs. Leaves alternate; stipules conspicuous; leaf blade simple, margin entire or denticulate; basal veins 3. Inflorescences axillary, unbranched, usually bisexual, sometimes unisexual, female flowers few, proximal, male flowers distal. Male flowers: calyx base somewhat hollowed with raised rim, lobes 3, valvate; petals absent; disk absent; stamens 3, erect, alternate with calyx lobes; filament short and thick; connective thickened, triangular-ovate, apex obtuse and apiculate, thecae divergent, introrse; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals (3 or)5 or 6, imbricate, accrescent; petals absent; disk absent; ovary covered with stinging hairs, 3-locular; ovules 1 per locule; styles connate into a massive subglobose or clavate column, narrowed and sometimes stalklike at base, broadly 3-lobed at apex. Fruit a capsule, depressed globose. Seeds globose, mottled.

Five species: SE Asia; two species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Qiu Huaxing (丘华兴 Chiu Hua-hsing, Kiu Hua-shing, Kiu Hua-xing); Lynn J. Gillespie)