Shrubs or perennial herbs, pubescent with dendritic or perhaps simple hairs. Stems erect, much branched. Leaves solitary or paired, simple, petiolate; leaf blade entire, glabrous or pubescent, often with dendritic hairs. Inflorescences solitary or in congested axillary clusters. Pedicel short. Calyx campanulate, dentate; corolla narrowly campanulate, parted to halfway. Stamens equal, inserted near base of corolla tube; filaments slightly compressed; anthers sometimes connivent. Disc evident, ringlike, surrounding ovary base. Ovary 2-locular; ovules numerous. Style slender. Fruiting calyx becoming enlarged, enveloping berry, closed at apex. Fruit a globose shiny berry. Seeds compressed reniform; embryo coiled, subperipheral.

About six species: N Africa, W Asia, and S Europe; one species adventive in China.