Evergreen or deciduous trees or large shrubs. Leaves entire. Flowers solitary, axillary. Perianth 9-20, sometimes more, 3-or more whorled, the inner narrower. Stamens numerous, in many series; filaments flat; anthers adnate, introrse. Gynoecium stipitate; carpels 2-valved; ovules 2 or more; stigma on the inner surface of the style. Follicles closely or laxly spaced, dehiscing dorsally, coriaceous. Seeds pendulous by a thread.