Trees or shrubs, evergreen. Stipules adnate to petiole. Young leaves folded in bud; petiole with stipular scar. Flowers terminal, solitary, bisexual. Tepals 9-15, in 3 or 4 whorls, subequal. Staminal connective exserted and forming a mucro; anthers dehiscing introrsely. Gynoecium sessile; carpels numerous or few, at least connate at base. Mature carpels woody or bony, peripherally dehiscing, base persistent on torus, apical part single or irregularly massive deciduous. Seeds 1 or 2 per carpel, pendulous.

About 60 species: SE Asia and tropical America; one species in China.