Generally trees, with persistent or deciduous, shortly fibrous-flaky bark, shedding in polygonal flakes or short strips. Leaves dimorphic, juvenile leaves opposite, adult leaves usually disjunct opposite, isobilateral or sometimes dorsiventral, lateral veins closely spaced, oil glands usually present. Inflorescense a terminal or lateral (axillary), simple or compound panicle of (3-) 7-flowered umbels. Flowers sessile or pedicellate. Buds variable in size and shape. Sepals united into an outer calyptra, deciduous at anthesis or before inner calyptra. Petals ± free, adherent to the calyx or fused into an inner calyptra, deciduous with outer calyptra or falling after outer calyptra. Stamens numerous, in many rows, filaments regularly inflexed in buds, anthers oblong, versatile, dehiscing by parallel slits. Ovary semi-inferior, usually 3-loculed, enveloped by hypanthium except in uppermost part, ovules numerous, ovuloids present. Fruit a capsule, mostly woody; disc depressed; valves enclosed.