Herb (in ours). Leaves simple. Flowers all bisexual, in cymose clusters. Bracts present. Calyx shortly 5-lobed. Petals present, marcescent. Stamens 5; filaments ± connate into a tube; anthers glabrous.
Staminodes 0. Ovary 5-locular; each loculus with 2 ovules. Styles 5. Fruit a capsule.
Worldwide: 54 species in the tropics, mainly America