Trees or erect subshrubs, monoecious or dioecious; branches jointed. Leaves opposite, usually serrate; petiole connate, forming a sheath at base. Inflorescences axillary or subterminal. Flowers unisexual, fragrant. Male flowers clustered in spikes; stamen 1; filaments nearly absent; anther 2-loculed, linear or oblong, transversely arranged; connective with a short appendage at apex. Female flowers in various capitula or panicles; tube of perianth 3-toothed, calyxlike, adnate to ovary; style very short or absent. Drupes globose or ovoid, sometimes trigonous, small; exocarp thin, fleshy; endocarp usually hard.

About 41 species: tropical America, SE Asia; one species in China.