Shrubs to trees, evergreen, with 3- or 4(6)-whorled, rarely decussate or alternate, ericoid leaves, revolute in bud. Leaf epidermal cells not lignified. Indumentum of unbranched or branched, glandular to non-glandular hairs. Inflorescence racemose to umbellate, at end of branch; bract always present, on the main axis or partially recaulescent to fully recaulescent forming the abaxial lobe of calyx; bracteoles lacking, solitary, or paired, usually fully recaulescent as the lateral lobes of calyx, rarely more than two. Flowers usually 4-merous, actinomorphic. Calyx lobes 1—4(-5), or lacking, variable in size, persistent; corolla sympetalous, urceolate, cylindric, or campanulate, the lobes ± small, usually persistent; stamens (3-)8(-10), sometimes exserted, the filaments straight to S-shaped, distinct or connate, unicellular-pubescent or smooth; anthers variably roughened, with or without a pair of dorsal appendages, dehiscing by terminal pores. Pollen without viscin threads. Ovary (1-)4(-8)-locular, with axile placentation, superior; style gradually tapered or impressed; stigma truncate, capitate, peltate, cup-shaped, funnel-shaped, or strongly 4-lobed, considerably enlarged in wind pollinated species. Fruit a loculicidal capsule, indehiscent pod, or drupe; seeds with variable testa cells; embryo with 2 cotyledons.