Shrubs, much branched, with rigid branches, the young ones weak, fasciculate. Leaves minute, soon deciduous; ochreae short, membranous. Flowers small, hermaphrodite, single or few, clustered on jointed, axillary pedicels, whitish. Perianth of 5 subequal, more or less spreading lobes. Stamens 10-18, connate at base. Ovary tetragonous; styles 4, with capitate stigmas. Achene woody, much longer than the subpersistent perianth, tetragonous, 4-winged or echinate and bearing 8-16 rows of branching intertwined bristles. Seeds oblong, 4-grooved; embryo straight, in the centre of a fleshy endosperm.