Small trees or shrubs, deciduous. Leaves odd-pinnate, usually with 3 or 5 leaflets; stipules caducous; leaflet blades oblong to elliptic, glabrous or sometimes slightly pubescent, margin serrate to serrulate. Inflorescence a panicle or a raceme, usually terminal. Flower bisexual. Sepals 5, of equal size, imbricate. Petals 5, as long as sepals or slightly longer, white, yellow, or pinkish. Stamens 5, inserted at base of petals; filaments glabrous or slightly pubescent. Disk small, inconspicuous. Ovary 2- or 3-locular; styles 2 or 3, free or united; stigma capitate; ovules several per locule. Capsule inflated, bladderlike, with membranous fruit wall, dehiscing at tip of each carpel. Seeds shining yellow to brown.

About 13 species: Asia, Europe, North America; six species (five endemic) in China.