Trees or shrubs with usually whorled branches. Leaves generally whorled. Inflorescence paniculate or corymbose terminal cymes. Flower salverform. Calyx short, 5 lobed; glands lacking inside. Corolla 5-lobed with cylindric tube, hairy only at the mouth. Stamens 5, included, inserted in the corolla tube, with lanceolate anthers. Disc of various shapes, annular, truncate or lobed. rarely absent. Ovules many in each carpel, multiseriate; style filiform; stigma short or 2 toothed. Follicles 2, cylindrical; seeds many, oblong or linear, usually hairy.