Large, perennial, subscandent shrub, stems often twining to the left, old stems sometimes spinous; leaves opposite, shortly petiolate, oblong-obovate, acuminate, entire, rusty pubescent beneath; flowers white to red, fragrant, in axillary or terminal, drooping, corymbose spikes; bracteoles usually lanceolate; calyx tube very long, slender, subpersistent, constricted above the ovary, deciduous, sepals 5, triangular, acute; petals 5, elliptic, rounded at the apex, white, pink or rose; stamens 10, short, epipetalous; ovary 1-celled, style filiform, somewhat adherent to the calyx tube; stigma subcapitate; ovules 3-4; pendulous from apex of the cell; fruits dry, coriaceous, 5-angled or 5-winged, subindehiscent, glabrous, very acute at the tip.