Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers; leaves simple, opposite or alternate, or spiralled; stipules none; flowers bisexual or unisexual, in spikes or racemes; sepals 4-5, connate; petals none or 4-5, distinct; stamens 4-5, opposite the sepals, or 8-10, or 12-15, or many; ovary inferior, or superior, 1-celled, with (1)-2-several or many pendulous ovules; fruit a drupe or samara; seed usually single. About 18 genera in the tropics. Two genera in Guam.