Trees, deciduous. Wood red. Leaves in spirals, even-pinnate, glabrous; leaflets opposite to subopposite. Inflorescences axillary or subterminal thyrses. Flowers small. Calyx small, 5-parted to middle, imbricate. Petals (4 or)5, distinct, broad, imbricate. Staminal tube cup-shaped, apically (8 or)10-lobed; anthers (8 or)10, inserted on inside of tube throat, alternate with lobes. Disk annular. Ovary ovoid, (4 or)5(or 6)-locular, with 9-16 pendulous ovules per locule; style cylindric; stigma disciform with (4 or)5 lobes. Capsule oblong or ovoid, 5-locular, woody. Seeds 9-16 per locule, winged, hanging by wing-end from distal part of columella; endosperm ± fleshy; cotyledons thin; radicle very short.

Three species: tropical W Africa, tropical and subtropical America; one species (introduced) in China.

(Authors: Peng Hua (彭华); David J. Mabberley)