Shrubs or small trees, dioecious; indumentum of simple hairs or peltate scales. Leaves alternate; stipules 2, deciduous; venation pinnate. Inflorescences axillary, unbranched. Male flowers: calyx 3-lobed, valvate, closed in bud; petals absent; disk absent; stamens many; filaments united into ca. 10 phalanges; anthers 2-locular, anther-thecae subglobose, divaricate, connective obscure; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals 5-8, imbricate, deciduous; petals absent; disk absent; ovary 3-locular; ovules 1 per locule; styles 3, simple, plumose. Capsule 3-locular, tomentose. Seeds ovoid; testa crustaceous, with thin fleshy coat.

Two species: tropical S and SE Asia; one species in China.

(Authors: Qiu Huaxing (丘华兴 Chiu Hua-hsing, Kiu Hua-shing, Kiu Hua-xing); Michael G. Gilbert)