Perennials or annual herbs or shrubs. Leaves scattered, linear. Flowers small, bisexual or polygamous, sessile, in clusters or solitary axillary; bracts small. Calyx urceolate with 4 spreading lobes. Disc absent or con¬spicuous. Stamens 8, 2-seriate, included. Ovary subsessile, unilocular; style short; stigma capitate. Fruit dry, enclosed by the persistent calyx.