Tropical to subtropical with some species in temperate climates. It has laticifers containing milky juice and glandular hairs. Unisexual and monoecious or dioecious.
Flowers are small and borne on inflorescences of various types.
Fruit an achene, multiple or synconium. Seed with endosperm present or lacking. Placentation is apical. Habit is as shrubs, trees and woody vines. Leaves are simple and alternate or opposite with entire, toothed or lobed margins.