Shrubs or low trees, with 2-3 cm broad stem at base, often scandent with simple leaves and simple or compound, axillary or terminal racemes. Flowers small, whitish, 1-2-sexual. Calyx 4-5-fid, persistent. Corolla 4-5-fid, with lobes usually fused at the base, erect or reflexed, elliptic, usually imbricate. Stamens 4-5, sometimes absent or reduced; filaments short, adnate to corolla base; anthers ovate-oblong. Ovary ovoid or globose, few ovuled; style short, stigma subcapitate. Fruit globose, berry-like, small, 1(-2)-seeded.