Dioecious or polygamous shrubs, often straggling, glabrous. Branches spinescent. Leaves entire, solitary or fascicled, sessile. Inflorescence a spike or a raceme. Sepals 5-6. Petals absent or present. Disc yellowish, fleshy. Stamens 10-22, inserted on the disc. Fruit a capsule or a berry. Seeds small, curved.