Climbing shrubs or lianes; branches with coiled tendrils. Leaves alternate. Inflorescence a thyrse. Flowers usually bisexual, 5-merous. Petals 5, hooded. Stamens 5. Disk 5-lobed. Ovary inferior. Fruit a 3-winged schizocarp, separating into 3 cocci.
Derivation of name: for Antoine Gouan, 1733–1821, French botanist at Montpellier.
Worldwide: 50-70 species in tropical and warm areas.