Shrubs deciduous. Branchlets reddish brown when young, terete, slightly pubescent; buds usually 2 or 3 superposed, ovoid, small, with 2–4 scales. Leaves petiolate; stipules acuminate at apex; leaf blade simple, margin serrate, usually lobed. Inflorescence a terminal corymb or panicle, many flowered; bracts small, margin entire. Flowers small, bisexual; pedicel slender. Hypanthium cupular. Sepals 5, persistent in fruit, apex obtuse. Petals 5, white, shorter than sepals. Stamens 10–20, borne on margin of hypanthium; filaments short. Carpel 1; ovules 2, pendulous; style terminal, erect. Follicle obliquely subglobose, crustaceous, dehiscing from base. Seeds 1 or 2, lustrous, globose to ovoid.

About five species: E Asia; two species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Gu Cuizhi (Ku Tsue-chih); Crinan Alexander)