Herbs, perennial. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate. Inflorescences terminal. Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic. Sepals 5, basally connate. Petals 5, 4 ascending and 1 descending, imbricate in bud. Stamens 10, distinct, declined. Disk thick, asymmetrically annular. Gynoecium 5-carpelled; ovaries basally connate, otherwise contiguous; ovules 3 per locule; style lateral, declined, of 5 basally coherent but apically connate stylar elements; stigma punctiform. Fruit of 5 basally connate follicles; endocarp cartilaginous, discharged elastically with seeds at dehiscence. Seeds black, subglobose, shiny; seed coat brittle, sclerenchymatous; endosperm copious; embryo straight; cotyledons broadly elliptic, flattened; hypocotyl partly included between cotyledons.

One to five species: Asia, Europe; one species in China.

(Authors: Zhang Dianxiang (张奠湘); Thomas G. Hartley)