Trees or shrubs, deciduous. Winter buds naked. Leaves alternate; stipules absent; leaf blade margin entire or serrate. Inflorescences terminal or axillary, paniculate or subcorymbose; bracts and bracteoles small, early deciduous. Flowers small, bisexual. Calyx tube adanate to ovary, 5-toothed. Petals 5, bases slightly coherent, free, imbricate or valvate, revolute after anthesis. Stamens 8--10, exserted; filaments slightly adnate to petals; anthers oblong, connective produced beyond locule into a conspicuous 2- or 3-dentate appendage. Ovary half inferior, 3- or 4-locular; ovules numerous per locule, erect, placentation axile. Fruit capsular, ovoid, 1/3--2/3 surrounded by calyx, 3- or 4-locular, loculicidally dehiscent. Styles 3--5, partly connate; stigma capitellate. Seeds numerous, flattened; seed coat thin, reticulate, fringed on both sides; embryo straight.

Four species: E Asia; three species in China.