Plants shrubs, subshrubs, or woody-based herbs; hairs branched. Leaves alternate or in unequal pairs, simple, entire or almost so. Inflorescences axillary, of solitary flowers or clusters of flowers. Flowers usually bisexual, sometimes unisexual; calyces campanulate, lobed, enlarged in fruit; corollas campanulate, lobed; stamens inserted near the base of the corolla tube, included or slightly exserted; anthers dehiscing longitudinally; nectaries ring-like, sometimes nconspicuous; ovaries 2-celled, with nuerous ovules; styles slender, capitate. Fruits globose berries, usually surrounded by an enlarged calyx; seeds flattened, smooth or reticulate.
Withania includes about 11 species. It has two centres of distribution, one in the Canary Islands, Spain and northwestern Africa, the other extending from the Horn of Afica to India. Withania somnifera is widespread in the Old World.