Trees. Apical bud abortive; axillary buds with scales. Leaves opposite, petiolate, leathery, usually with inconspicuous, translucent glands; secondary veins many, slender; tertiary veins scalariform, not prominent. Flowers bisexual, homostylous, solitary, axillary [or in axillary thyrses]. Sepals 4[or 5], imbricate. Petals 4[or 5], imbricate. Stamens many, not obviously fascicled, in continuous ring; filaments free, slender; anthers erect, basifixed; fasciclodes absent. Ovary 2-loculed, with 2 erect ovules per locule; styles united, elongate; stigma peltate. Capsule subwoody, septifragal; septae persistent. Seeds 1-4, without appendage; embryo with broad fleshy cotyledons.

About five species: India and Sri Lanka to peninsular Malaysia, possibly Java, and China; one species (introduced) in China.

(Authors: Li Xiwen (李锡文 Li Hsi-wen), Li Jie (李捷); Peter F. Stevens)