Succulent, much branching subshrubs or dwarf shrubs, with jointed, erect or prostrate stems and branches, sometimes rooting at nodes. Leaves reduced to minute opposite obtuse scales, connate below to a cupule at the top of each joint. Inflorescences spike-like. Bracts similar to leaves, connate, persistent, almost equal in size, each subtending a group (cyme) of 3 flowers. Flowers hermaphrodite; perianth white or brownish, ovoid or angular, composed of 3 fused segments, 3-dentate at apex, somewhat swollen and spongy in fruit, always with elongated water-acccumulating cells. Stamens (1-) 2. Ovary ovoid, somewhat compressed; style rather long; stigmas 2 (-3); ovule with short funicle. Fruit enclosed in perianth. Seeds ovoid, testal cells usually with protuberances resembling hooked hairs; perisperm 0 or scanty; embryo arcuate to semicircular.