Trees or shrubs. Leaves opposite or rarely alternate. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, in short terminal racemes or spikes, ebracteate. Calyx tube elongated, 4 lobed. Disc of 2-4 (1) linear scales. Stamens 8, 2 seriate, included. Ovary unilocular, villous; style short; stigma capitate. Fruit baccate.