Woody climbers, usually glabrous. Leaves opposite, entire, usually with 2 glands on margin of lamina near base (in T. africana glands near apex of petiole); stipules very small. Inflorescence racemose, terminal; pedicels articulated, 2-bracteolate. Flowers actinomorphic, bisexual. Sepals persistent, in some species with dorsal glands. Petals oblong, clawed, keeled, entire. Stamens with glabrous basifixed anthers; filaments of outer whorl longer and broader at base. Ovary globose; only 1 (very seldom 2) styles fully developed, terete. Fruit subligneous; lateral wing divided into 4–10 narrow stellately arranged lobes; median wing usually absent; samara sometimes with a dorsal crest. Seeds subglobose, with a short acumen formed by the radicle.