Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate or opposite; stipules small, caducous. Flowers small, bisexual, rarely unisexual, 4-5-merous in axillary cymes. Calyx 4-5-lobed. Petals 4-5. Stamens 4-5, on or under the edge of the disc; anthers subglobose. Base of the ovary slightly united with the disc; ovary 2-5-celled; style very short; stigma obscure or 2-lobed; ovules erect, 2 in each cell. Fruit a dry or a fleshy indehiscent drupe; cells 1(-2)-seeded; seeds exarillate.