Shrubby climbers, deciduous or evergreen, mostly climbing by tendrils, usually branched. Leaves simple or palmately compound, 3-9 foliolate, often variously lobed, rarely pinnatifid, Inflorescence leaf opposed. Flowers 5-merous, pedicellate, polygamous dioecious, rarely bisexual. Hypanthium cupular slightly lobed or toothed. Petals 5(-7) cohering at the apex (calyptrate) and falling off as a single unit after anthesis. Stamens 5(-7) inserted at the base of hypogynous disc, usually lobed, Ovary 2-locular; style short, conical, stigma slightly bibbed or dialated; loculi 2-ovulate; berry ovoid or globose, pulpy, usually edible, 2-4 seeded. Seed mostly pyriform with beaked base.