Habit: shrub, evergreen

Sexuality: dioecious

Branchlets: subopposite or subwhorled, base with leaf scars or bud scales

Branches: whorled

Important diagnostics: with twisted leaf bases

Leaves: Position: spirally arranged, 2-ranked

Leaves: Shape: linear or lanceolate, falcate

Pollen Cone: Shape: globose

Microsporophylls: shield-shaped

Seed Cones: Bract scales: decussate

Seeds: Shape: ovoid, nutlike

Seeds: Other Characteristics: apex mucronate

Cotyledons number: 2

Germination: epigeal