shoots (0.5 - 5 cm long) bearing the flowers; this pattern often developing a 'herringbone' form of branching. The leaves are arranged alternately, 0.5 - 15 cm long, ovate to lanceolate in shape, entire; both evergreen and deciduous species occur.

Flowers are produced from late spring to early summer, either solitarily or in corymbs of up to 100 flowers.