Dioecious, aromatic, glabrous shrub. Stipules subulate, paired, connate with the petiole, persistent. Leaves smelling of resin when crushed, opposite, flabellate, plicate, articulate with the petiole. Flowers sessile in terminal, erect, catkin-like inflorescences. Perianth 0. Bracts present and persistent after fruit fall. Male flowers (in ours): reduced to 5-6 stamens, anthers reddish. Female flowers (in ours): zygomorphic, reduced to (2-)3 green carpels, connate at the base and tapering into outwardly curved styles, presenting purple inwardly-facing stigmas. Fruit a dehiscent capsule. Seeds numerous. Worldwide: 1 genus and 2 species, southern Africa and Madagascar. |
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