Herbs, shrubs or trees, sometimes spiny lianas. Leaves opposite, or alternate, rarely whorled, simple, exstipulate, usually petiolate, margin entire. Inflorescence usually terminal, less often axillary, of cymes, umbels, fascicles, often grouped into panicles, rarely solitary. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual or unisexual, hypogynous, often bracteate; bracts showy and petaloid, sometimes forming calyx-like involucre or inconspicuous. Perianth usually 5, constricted beyond the ovary, lower half or base (the anthocarp) persistent, closely enclosing the ovary which appears inferior; limb petaloid beyond constriction, tubular, funnelform or campanulate, apex 5-10-lobed, lobes plicate or valvate in bud, caducous or persistent. Disc absent. Stamens usually 5, may be more or less, free or connate at base, alternating with perianth lobes, filaments often unequal, involute in bud; anthers bithecous, dehiscence longitudinal. Pistil monocarpellary; ovary superior, unilocular with a solitary basal ovule; style 1, long, simple; stigma globose. Fruit a nut, utricle or an anthocarp (achene enclosed by persistent perianth lobes), indehiscent; persistent portion of the perianth enveloping the fruit becomes leathery, hardened or fleshy and striated, ribbed or winged and often a means of dispersal by the development of mucilage, glandular hairs or hooks. Seed 1.

32 genera and 391 species

Boerhavia diffusa

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Commicarpus chinensis

Mirabilis jalapa