Trees, shrubs or herbs. Stipules 2. Leaves usually alternate, simple. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic (Rinorea) or zygomorphic (Hybanthus and Viola). Sepals 5, usually free. Petals 5, free, the anterior one (in zygomorphic genera) spurred. Stamens 5, often bearing appendages. Ovary superior, 1-locular. Fruit a loculicidal capsule.