Annual or usually perennial herbs or shrubs. Leaves opposite or spuriously whorled, with scarious stipules. Flowers many, in paniculate or corymbose cymes. Sepals 5 (-8), free, not keeled, scarious-margined. Petals 5, generally shorter than calyx, lanceolate, entire or emargi¬nate. Stamens 5, free or connate at base, sometimes with 3-5 stanninodes opposite petals. Perigynous disk present. Ovary 1-celled, few- or many-ovuled; style with capitate or 3-lobed stigma. Capsule 3-valved. Seeds pear-shaped to almost reniform.