Trees, shrubs, or herbs, usually with yellowish sap. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, generally without stipules. Flowers perfect or unisexual. Sepals 4 or 5; petals 4 or 5 (or 6-8),distinct; stamens many, free or united into 3-5 bundles, or all connate; ovary superior, 1-5-celled; ovules 1-many, axile or parietal. Fruit a capsule, berry, or drupe. A chiefly tropical family of 42 genera and more than 800 species. Two genera in Guam.