Succulent, much branching dwarf or subshrubs, with jointed, erect or ascending stems, not rooting at nodes. Leaves reduced to minute opposite triangular scales. Bracts opposite, connate, rarely free, persistent, each subtending a group (cyme) of 3 hermaphrodite, free or almost free flowers; each cyme more or less concealed by the bracts, the cavity in the floral axis in which the cyme is imm.ersed, but flowers exerted from the bracts, is undivided. Perianth ovoid or angular, 3-4 lobed and obpyramidal at apex, somewhat succulent or spongy in fruit. Stamens 1. Ovary ovoid, somewhat compressed; stigmas 2, slender; ovule with short funicle. Fruit enclosed in perianth. Seeds ovoid to subspherical, crustaceous, granular or smooth; with perisperm; embryo curved or bent.