Trees or shrubs, with bitter bark, and mainly alternate and pinnate not punctate leaves. Stipules minute or none. Inflorescence axillary, paniculate or racemose. Flowers regular, dioecious or polygamous. Calyx 3-5-lobed or divided. Petals 3-5. Disk annular or elongated, entire or lobed. Stamens of the same number as the petals, or twice as many; anthers 2-celled. Ovaries 2 - 5, or single and 2-5-lobed, 1-5-celled; styles 1-5. Seeds generally solitary in the cells; embryo straight or curved.

About 30 genera and 150 species, natives of warm or tropical regions, distinguished from Rutaceae mainly by their non-punctate foliage.