Large shrubs or subshrubby perennials, rarely annual herbs . Leaves usually large and broad, ochrea tubular, eciliate, membranous. Inflorescence a branched panicle. Bracts (ochreolae) not tubular, very open. Flowers pedicellate, pedicel with or without articulation. Perianth 5-partite, eglandular. corolloid. Stamens 8, rarely less, outer sometimes shorter. Nectaries conspicuous but fused basally into a prominent disc-like structure, confluent with the bases of the stamens. Styles 2-3, usually very short, stigmas capitate. Nut trigonous with sharp angles, usually exerted or rarely inserted in the persistent enclosing perianth segments; rarely baccate in fruit.