Leaves: Unique sheathing stipules, alternate, simple, entire (rarely lobed) leaves.
Inflorescence: solitary flowers
Perianth: tepals 3-several whorls of 3, distinct, outermost sometimes sepaloid.
Stamens: laminar, many, distinct
Ovary: apocarpous, superior, many carpels, mostly distinct, on elongate receptacle, 1 locule with 1-several ovules per locule
Fruit: aggregate of woody follicles or samaras (rarely a capsule); aril, threads in follicular fruits.