Usually trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, simple, entire or pinnately divided, generally coriaceous. Inflorescence a receme, a spike or an umbel, bracteate, often very showy. Flowers monochlamydeous, usually zygomorphic and bisexual. Sepals 4,valvate, tubular, commonly bent or rolled back when open, often alternating with 4(-3-2) disc “glands or scales”, petaloid. Stamens 4, free, opposite to and fused with sepals often leaving only anthers free. Pistil 1, superior: ovary sessile or borne on a gynophore, unilocular, usually oblique; ovules 1-2 or many, biseriate; style often bent inward, sometimes wiry. Fruit a follicle, drupe or a nut, coriaceous or woody.