The latex of some species is used in the treament of warts, for eye disorders and as a dye source for coloring feathers. Flowers are large and borne on an inflorescence of cymes, panicles, umbels or as a solitary flower. Fruit a capsule. Seeds with oily endosperm. Placentation is parietal to axile.
Leaves are simple and lobed and dissected or entire, alternate.
Stipules are lacking.