Fls unisexual, us. in clusters on simple or compound spikes; per. of ♂ 3-5-partite, stamens 3-5; ♀ enclosed by 2 bracteoles, per. absent; styles 2. Utricle concealed by bases of accrescent bracteoles; seeds vertical, embryo annular, endosperm cop. Herbs or subshrubs, us. with mealy indumentum and alt. lvs. Genus subcosmopolitan, with some 150 spp.

Plant monoec.; ♂ without bracteoles; per. 5-partite; stamens 5, well-exserted, filaments slender, connate at very base. ♀ without per., enclosed in bracteoles united almost to apex, opening at tips in fr.; ovary compressed; stigmas 2, papillose on inner face. Seed erect, compressed, edges opp. lips of bracteoles. Herbs clad in bladdery papillae. Genus of 1 known sp., of Australia, Tasmania and N.Z.

Monoecious or dioecious, annual herbs or small shrubs, glabrous or farinose. Stems green, often striped reddish or white. Lvs generally alternate, flat, toothed or lobed, often hastate, sometimes entire; upper lvs much smaller. Fls in glomerules; glomerules aggregated in panicles, dense spikes or sometimes solitary. ♂ fls: bracteoles 0; perianth segments (3)-5; stamens (3)-5. ♀ fls: bracteoles 2, accrescent and enclosing fr., free or somewhat fused, entire or dentate, often lobed near base, often tuberculate or with appendages on bracts, sometimes spongy inside; perianth usually 0, if present then segments 5. Ovary superior; stigmas 2. Fr. pericarp membranous, often easily detached. Seeds sometimes dimorphic, usually vertical, rarely horizontal; testa usually smooth; radicle often protruding.