Perennial woody, rhizomatous climbers or sub-shrubs. Roots fibrous; rhizome woody. Stem erect or scrambling. Leaves alternate, opposite or verticillate, petiolate, venation parallel and reticulate. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, spicate, racemose or a racemose panicle, bracteate. Flowers small, regular, bracteate; perianth membranous, sepals and petals each 3, free, similar; stamens hypogynous, filaments free, 6, anthers 2-locular, dehiscing by longitudinal slits or apical pores; ovary superior, 3-locular with ovules 2 per locule; style single, minutely 3-lobed. Fruit a berry; seeds sub-globose.
1 genus with 6 species, primarily in Australia, 1 species also in New Guinea and 1 endemic species in New Zealand.
Ripogonaceae is sometimes included as a subfamily within Smilacaceae.
