Trees or shrubs, deciduous, many branched. Branches unarmed. Axillary winter buds ovoid; terminal bud present. Stipules membranous, soon caducous. Leaves simple, alternate, conduplicate when young; petiole usually with 2 nectaries at apex or at base of leaf blade margin; leaf blade margin serrate, rarely entire. Inflorescences terminal on current year’s branchlet, racemose, many-flowered, base with a soon caducous involucre formed by floral bud scales; peduncle usually with leaves. Hypanthium campanulate to cup-shaped. Sepals 5. Petals 5, white. Stamens 10 or more, inserted on rim of hypanthium. Ovary superior, 1-loculed; ovules 2, collateral, pendulous. Style terminal, elongated; stigma flat. Fruit a drupe, glabrous, not glaucous, without a longitudinal groove; mesocarp succulent, not splitting when ripe; endocarp bony.

About 20 species: mostly in N temperate regions; 15 species (nine endemic) in China.

(Authors: Gu Cuizhi (Ku Tsue-chih); Bruce Bartholomew)