Lees or shrubs, often spiny. Leaves usually opposite. Plants usually dioecious. Flowers without an involucre. Calyx of male flower funnel shaped, of female flower broadly tubular. Perianth lobes 5. Stamens 6-10, exserted. Ovary sessile, stigma capitate or fimbriate. Anthocarp viscous-glandular, rarely fleshy. Nut membranous.