Hemiparasitic herbs, shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite, entire, exstipulate. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Perianth simple, sepaloid or petaloid, of 3-6 segments volute in bud. Stamens 3-6, opposite tepals; filaments inserted at base of perianth. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, containing 1-4 pendulous ovules; style 1; stigma capitate or lobed. Fruit 1-seeded, indehiscent, nut-like or drupe-like. Seed solitary, with copious endosperm and small embryo.