Woody lianas. Leaves opposite or whorled, stipulate; stipules connate with petiole; leaf blade entire, glandular. Racemes axillary or terminal; pedicels bracteate. Flowers 5-merous, bright yellow, bisexual, actinomorphic. Sepals with or without glands. Petals clawed. Stamens 10, unequal; filaments connate at base, articulate distally. Ovary 3-lobed, globose, often with abaxial appendages; style 1; stigma minute. Samaras 3, each 3-10-winged; wings conic, of unequal lengths, together thus star-shaped.

About 20 species: mainly in Madagascar, also in E Africa, India, and Malaysia to Australia and Pacific islands; one species in China.