Shrubs, deciduous. Winter buds with several pairs of pubescent scales. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate with an interpetiolar line, estipulate. Flowers paniculate, single or paired (flowers opening consecutively) in same inflorescence; paired flowers with 6 bracts, single flowers with 4 bracts at base of ovaries; ovaries each crowned with a long narrow beak; bracts densely hairy, adnate to ovaries, accrescent and becoming spongy, woody, and covered with stiff bristles in fruit. Calyx of 5 narrow, sparsely pubescent sepals. Corolla bilabiate, 5-lobed; lobes spreading. Stamens 4, didynamous, partially adnate to corolla tube. Ovary 3- or 4-locular, 2 locules with 2 series of sterile ovules, 1 or 2 locules with a single fertile ovule. Achenes single or in pairs embedded in accrescent bristly bracts, each crowned with persistent sepals.

● One species: China.