Morphological characters and geographic distribution are the same as those of the family.

Numerous species and infraspecific taxa have been proposed based on variations in size and ornamentation of the fruit. However, these variations overlap to such an extent that a more discrete definition of taxa is not supported here.

Plants are regionally cultivated for their fruit, which contain abundant starch and are consumed both raw and cooked. The seeds are ground into a flour used for medicine and making starch and wine. The fruit and fresh plants can be used for pig feed.