Trees or shrubs. Leaves opposite or alternate, simple, exstipulate. Inflorescence cymose, panicles or heads; involucral bracts herbaceous, petaloid or absent. Flowers uni or bisexual, regular. Sepals 4-5, united, adnate to the ovary, valvate. Petals 4-5, imbricate or valvate. Stamens same in number as the petals, both inserted around a disc, the stamens alternating with the petals. Ovary (1-)2(-4)-locular, syncarpous, inferior; stigma capitate or 2-4-fid; single ovule in each locule. Fruit a drupe, 2-seeded, free or united in a syncarp.