Habit: Shrubs or trees, rarely herbs, usually with milky sap
Leaves: Alternate, simple, stipulate
Inflorescence: variable, often with flowers embedded in fleshy receptacle
Sepals: 4 (2 or 6), distinct, inconspicuous
Stamens: 4 (2 or 6), opposite the sepals
Ovary: 2 carpels, connate, superior or inferior, 1 locule, 1 apical ovule, styles 2
Fruit: achenes, drupelets, usually aggregated as multiple fruits--syconium