Herbs, shrubs, trees or woody climbers, sometimes spiny, with often square stems. Stipules 0. Leaves usually opposite, sometimes whorled, rarely alternate, simple or dissected. Flowers mostly zygomorphic and 2-lipped, sometimes ± actinomorphic, usually 4-5-merous, usually bisexual. Calyx and corolla 4-5-lobed. Stamens 4, didynamous. Disk usually present. Ovary superior, usually 2-locular, usually soon 4 (or more)-locular by development of false septa. Ovules 2 in each true loculus. Fruit a drupe with 2-4 pyrenes or dividing at maturity into 2 or 4 nutlets.