Shrubs or treelets, monoecious, rarely dioecious; indumentum when present simple; latex present, clear and nontoxic. Leaves alternate, petiolate; stipules minute, caducous, sometimes obsolete; leaf blade entire, rarely lobed; venation pinnate. Inflorescence axillary, long, unbranched, usually unisexual. Male flowers several per bract; calyx (3-)5(-6)-lobed, lobes imbricate; petals small, 5 or 6, rarely absent; disk divided into 5-15 free glands; stamens 15-100; rudimentary ovary absent. Female flowers 1 per bract; calyx 5-lobed; petals absent; disk subentire or divided; ovary 3-locular; ovules 1 per locule; styles 3, unlobed, rarely bifid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds carunculate; cotyledons broad and flat.

About 15 species: from Indonesia and Philippines to New Guinea, tropical Australia, and Pacific islands; one species (introduced) in China.

(Authors: Li Bingtao (李秉滔 Li Ping-tao); Michael G. Gilbert)