Shrubs, erect, deciduous. Winter buds with several pairs of scales. Leaves opposite, estipulate, shortly petiolate, slightly pubescent on veins and margin, margin entire or dentate at apex. Inflorescences of single flowers, paniculate; ovaries with 4 bracts at base; bracts unequal in size, larger 2 tightly adnate to ovary. Sepals 5, linear to lanceolate, ± fused at base. Corolla bilabiate, distinctly narrowed and gibbous at base; upper lip 2-lobed; lower lip 3-lobed. Stamens 4, didynamous, partially adnate to corolla tube, included. Ovary 4-locular, 2 locules with 2 series of sterile ovules, 2 locules each with a single fertile ovule; style slightly shorter than corolla. Fruit an achene with 2 accrescent, membranous, winglike bracts at base, crowned with persistent calyx.

● Three species: China.