حاملات الجذور

Trees and shrubs. Leaves simple, opposite, rarely whorled, with interpetiolar stipules. Inflorescences axillary, of various types. Flowers bisexual (in ours), actinomorphic. Calyx gamosepalous; lobes 4-5(-7). Petals as many as calyx lobes and alternating with them, free. Stamens twice as many as petals or more. Ovary inferior to superior; style 1 (in ours). Fruit a berry, drupe or (in ours) a capsule. Seeds arillate.