A source of fibers in textiles and rope as well as an ornamental. Leaf imprints from the Eocene. Unisexual and monoecious or dioecious. Flowers are small and greenish and borne on inflorescences of panicles, spikes or axillary cymes. Seed has endosperm present.
Placentation is basal.
Habit is as shrubs or soft-wooded trees. Leaves are simple and alternate or opposite. Stipules are present.