Herbs, sometimes parasitic and lacking chlorophyll, shrubs or, rarely, trees (Freylinia and Halleria). Stipules 0. Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled, entire, toothed or variously lobed or dissected. Inflorescences various. Pedicels with 0 or 2 bracteoles. Flowers bisexual, usually zygomorphic. Calyx (3-)5-lobed, usually ± united. Corolla gamopetalous, sometimes produced into 1 or 2 spurs or sacs; limb usually 4- or 5-lobed, the lobes subequal or 2-lipped. Stamens 4, didynamous or equal, or 2 with occasionally 2 reduced to staminodes or 5 with the fifth ± rudimentary, rarely functional. Ovary superior, 2(-3)-locular. Fruit usually a capsule. Seeds small, numerous.