Trees, monoecious. Leaves in spirals, even-pinnate; leaflet blades glabrous, margin entire. Thyrses axillary or subterminal. Flowers appearing bisexual. Calyx 4- or 5-parted almost to base, imbricate. Petals 4 or 5, distinct, contorted, much longer than calyx when in bud. Staminal tube urceolate, kettlelike, or cup-shaped; anthers 8-10, inserted on inside apical part of tube. Disk cushion-shaped. Ovary 4- or 5-locular, with 12-16(-18) amphitropous ovules per locule; stigma disciform, with 4 grooves on apex. Capsule globose or suborbicular, woody, apically 4- or 5-valvate when mature. Seeds with vestigial endosperm; cotyledons flat, collateral; radicle lateral.

About six species: tropical Africa, Madagascar; one species (introduced) in China.

(Authors: Peng Hua (彭华); David J. Mabberley)