Trees or shrubs with opposite, exstipulate and palmate compound leaves. Inflorescence a polygamous terminal panicle, the upper flowers male. Flowers with jointed pedicels. Calyx of 5 united sepals. Petals 4-5, irregular. Disc unilateral, present outside the stamens. Stamens 5-9, free. Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous; ovary 3-locular, with 2 ovules in each locule. Fruit a loculicidal capsule, dehiscing by 3 valves. Seeds few, large.