Mostly trees, one species a parasitic herb; leaves alternate, simple; stipules absent; flowers regular, perfect or unisexual; perianth of 2 whorls, petals often not different from sepals; stamens in -A whorls, with 3 stamens per whorl (usually); or some whorls staminodial; ovary superior or nearly so, 1-celled, with 1 pendulous ovule; apex of pedicel and receptacle sometimes enlarged; fruit a berry, drupe, or nut. More than 40 genera and over 2100 species, chiefly tropical.