Herbs, shrubs or trees. Leaves simple, usually alternate, exstipulate. Inflorescence racemose. Flowers 3-bracteate, hermaphrodite, zygomorphic. Sepals 5, free, two inner often larger, aliform. Petals 3 or 5, united with staminal sheath, anterior petal keel-like, often crested. Stamens usually 8, monadelphous; anthers opening by pores. Ovary superior, bilocular, ovule one in each locule, pendulous, style curved. Fruit usually a capsule. Seeds often pilose, strophiolate.