Shrubs to small trees with jointed, almost leafless stems and branches; leaves opposite, connate, rudimentary; bracts opposite, later deciduous, scale-like. Inflorescences many, spike-like, opposite at the ends of branches. Flowers in 3s, free, perfect, 3-merous, ebracteolate, on the opposite axils. Perianth segments obpyramidal, united, only shortly 3-lobed. Stamen 1. Pistil with notched stigmas. Seeds small, ovate to oblong-ovate, albuminous; embryo incurved.