Deciduous trees. Leaves opposite, rarely whorled, simple. Flowers white, pink or yellow, in terminal panicles. Calyx campanulate, irregular or 2-partite in flower. Corolla tube short; lobes unequal. Fertile stamens 2, included; staminodes 3.Capsule linear, terete, dehiscing loculicidally. Seed with a tuft of hairs at each end.