Annual, biennial or perennial herbs, subshrubs or shrubs, succulent. Stipules 0. Leaves opposite, whorled or alternate, usually simple, sometimes compound. Inflorescence consisting of axillary or terminal cymes grouped in corymbs or panicles, less often a raceme or spike or composed of solitary flowers. Flowers usually bisexual, actinomorphic, (3-)4-5(-6)-merous. Sepals free or ± united at the base. Petals as many as sepals. Stamens as many or twice as many as petals. Ovary superior; carpels free or united up to the middle. Fruit a follicle. Seeds usually minute. Nectariferous scales usually present, small, one at base of each carpel.
Worldwide: 33 genera and 1100 species, ± cosmopolitan, especially common in S Africa, few in Australia and W Pacific. |
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