Shrubs. Stems obtusely 4-sided, becoming subterete, densely puberulous when young. Leaves petiolate; leaf blade secondary veins 2(or 3) on each side of midvein, tertiary veins numerous and parallel, margin usually denticulate. Inflorescences umbellate, axillary or at petiole scars on leafless branchlets; peduncle short to nearly absent; bracts small, caducous. Flowers 4-merous, pedicellate. Hypanthium campanulate-funnelform, 4-sided. Calyx lobes broadly ovate to suborbicular. Petals pink, red, or showy red, often ovate, oblique, apex acuminate. Stamen whorls equal in size; filaments as long as anthers; anthers lanceolate, oblong-linear, or rarely subulate, 2-tuberculate at base; connective slightly inflated, extended, shortly spurred at base. Ovary inferior, urceolate, 4-sided, 4-celled, apex denticulate. Capsule subglobular to ovate-globular, obtusely 4-sided; hypanthium campanulate-funnelform to subglobular, 8-ribbed, ribs conspicuous or inconspicuous. Seeds numerous, cuneate, 3-sided, densely tuberculate.

The separation of Sporoxeia from related genera, especially Anerincleistus Korthals, is unclear (Hansen, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 12: 37-41. 1990).

About seven species: China, Myanmar; two species (one endemic) in China.