Erect, trailing or climbing perennial herbs, climbing shrubs or small trees, with swollen nodes. Tendrils usually present, leaf-opposed or arising from the peduncle. Stipules present or 0. Leaves alternate, simple or digitately lobed or compound (rarely pedate). Flowers usually bisexual, actinomorphic. Calyx ± entire or 4-6-lobed. Petals 4-6, free. Disk ring-shaped or of separate glands. Ovary superior, 2-locular. Fruit a berry with 1-4 seeds.