Shrubs, trees or suffrutices, often with scaly or stellate indumentum. Leaves opposite or in whorls, less often alternate, simple. Stipules present but may be reduced. Inflorescences of cymes, panicles or racemes. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual, 4(-5)-merous. Corolla with a tube. Ovary superior, 2-locular. Style terminal with 2-lobed stigma. Fruit a capsule. Seeds winged or not.