Shrubs or trees. Stipules erect, persistent. Leaves opposite or 3-nate, with
domatia. Flowers in panicles, lateral at successive nodes, white, bisexual. Corolla tube long, very narrowly cylindric; lobes narrow, contorted. Stamens exserted. Ovary 1-2-locular with 2 placentas. Fruit spherical, ellipsoid or fusiform. Seeds large, flattened-ellipsoid.
Derivation of name: Gk: oxyanthus: with pointed flowers