Herbs or small shrubs, with latex. Inflorescemce' of cyathia usually umbellate, often with axillary rays below the umbel. Male flowers of a single stamen jointed to the pedicel.
Seeds usually carunculate.
In the following account the inflorescence is referred to as an umbel, though it is not strictly one. The bracts , when present, subtend the individual male flowers in the cyathium.