Shrubs or small trees, stellate-tomentose. Leaves simple, toothed, lobed or entire, venation pinnate, petiolate; stipules caducous or somewhat persistent. Flowers bisexual, in cymose panicles; bracteoles absent. Calyx petaloid, 5-lobed; petals 5, the lower portion embracing the anthers, the upper portion ligulate; stamens 5, opposite the petals, extrorse; staminodes 5, entire or 3-lobed, central or only staminode petaloid, glabrous; ovary sessile, usually 5-locular, each loculus with 2–14 ovules, styles usually 5, forming a column but more or less free. Capsule stellate-tomentose and bearing bristles.
33 species, endemic to Australia, includes 22 species previously included in Commersonia (see notes under that genus).
