Densely branched, armed shrubs. Spines straight or axillary recurved with opposite, coriaceous leaves. Inflorescence a terminal axillary peduncled trichotomous cyme. Calyx 5-partite, usually eglandular within, lobes acute. Corolla contorted in bud tube cylindrical with glarous throat. Stamens included in the corolla tube free. Disc absent. Ovary with 1-4 ovules in each locule, style filiform with thick, fusiform stigma. Fruit a succulent indehiscent berry, somewhat ellipsoid or globose. Seeds 1-4, glabrous.