Habit: shrubs, trees (herbs)
Leaves: alternate (rarely opposite or whorled), estipulate
Inflorescence: solitary, axillary clusters, racemes, corymbs, umbels, panicles
Flowers: perfect, actinomorphic (rarely zygomorphic)
Sepals: 5 (4-7), distinct or connate
Petals: 5 (4-7), connate (distinct)
Stamens: 10 (4-many), distinct, free or basally adnate to corolla, anthers with appendages, opening by pores
Ovary: nectary disk, 2-10 connate carpels, superior or inferior, 2-10 locules, axile placentation, 1-many ovules, style 1, undivided
Fruit: capsule, berry, drupe