Habit and leaf form . Trees and shrubs, or lianas, or herbs. Self supporting, or climbing. Leptocaul, or pachycaul. Mesophytic, or xerophytic .
Leaves stipulate .
Leaves without a persistent basal meristem. Leaf anatomy . Mucilaginous epidermis present. Adaxial hypodermis present, or absent. Lamina generally dorsiventral.