Flowers uni- or bisexual, actinomorphic and often heterostylous.
Inflorescence simple or branched cymes or racemes. K persistent in fruit, sometimes joined to ovary below, C usually with hairs or crests on inside, A epipetalous and alternate with corolla lobes, versatile anthers, G superior with parietal placentation. Fruit a capsule, regularly or irregularly dehiscent or somewhat fleshy and indehiscent. Seeds may be winged, possess a small embryo with copious, firm oily endosperm. Habit is generally perennial herbs with tufted rootstocks or horizonatal creeping rhizomes.