Herbs, climbing shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, sometimes alternate or whorled, petiolate, simple, exstipulate. Inflorescences various, usually cymose. Flowers hermaphrodite, sometimes unisexual, usually subtended by free or united bracts. Perianth petaloid, usually 5-lobed, rotate, campanulate, tubular or funnel-shaped, lower part persistent in fruit. Stamens 1-5 or many, free or united at base. Ovary superior, l-ovuled; style often long. Fruit an anthocarp with enclosed achene/nutlet, ribbed, winged or glandular. Embryo straight or curved.