Annuals or perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs, glabrous to hispidulous, hairs unicellular. Leaves alternate, sessile or decurrent, entire, flat or semiterete, somewhat succulent, sometimes with multicellular hairs in axils. Flowers in loose simple or paniculate spikes; sessile, bisexual, protandrous. Perianth segments 5, polyphyllous, 3 wider than others. Stamens 5, epipetalous, filaments band-shaped. Disc hypogynous, glabrous, short, fleshy, later membranous. Stigmas 2, inside papillose, tips exserted. Fruiting perianth 5-winged, 3 wider, basally indurated forming a broad tube with 5 distinct cavities (pits). Utricle enclosed; pericarp apically and basally lignified, laterally membranous. Seed horizontal, exalbuminous, embryo spiral.