Some, particularly the willowherbs (Epilobium), are common weeds in gardens and rapidly colonize disturbed habitats in the wild.

In others, such as Fuchsia, the seeds develop in juicy berries dispersed by animals.

The leaves are commonly opposite or whorled, but are spirally arranged in some species; in most, they are simple and lanceolate in shape.

The pollen grains in many genera are loosely held together by viscin threads.

The family was named after the genus Onagra (now known as Oenothera) in 1836 by John Lindley in the second edition of A Natural System of Botany.