Trees, shrubs, suffrutices or woody climbers. The indumentum of scales and/or hairs is taxonomically distinctive (although microscopic). Leaves simple, opposite, whorled, subopposite or alternate, almost always entire. Stipules 0. Flowers bisexual or bisexual and male in same inflorescence, usually 4-5-merous. Sepals 4 or 5 (rarely 6 or 8). Petals 4 or 5, sometimes 0. Stamens usually twice as many as petals, sometimes equal in number. Ovary inferior, 1-locular. Fruit 2-5-winged, 1-seeded.