Herbs or subshrubs. Stems erect, dichotomous, angulate, glabrous or pubescent. Leaves long petiolate; leaf blade ovate, base rounded or attenuate, apex acuminate. Racemes terminal or axillary, erect or curved, slender. Flowers bisexual, small. Tepals 4, persistent. Stamens 4. Ovary superior, ovoid, 1-carpelled, 1-loculed. Style shorter than ovary, slightly curved; stigma capitate. Berry red or orange.

One species: tropical and subtropical America; introduced in tropical regions elsewhere.