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Stamens 5, the filaments delicate, shortly monadelphous at the base, alternating with distinct quadrate or oblong, fimbriate pseudostaminodes; anthers bilocular.
Inflorescence terminal on the stem and branches, spiciform, capitate or fastigiate, bracteate, flowers solitary or paired in the axils of each bract.
Ovary with a single pendulous ovule, glabrous below with a dense ring of hairs centrally and more thinly pilose above, or entirely glabrous.
Perianth segments 5, very shortly mucronate with the excurrent midrib, usually considerably indurate at the base in fruit.
Bracts persistent, finally weakly deflexed or deflexed-ascending, bracteoles and perianth falling with the fruit.
Modified sterile flowers absent, all flowers hermaphrodite and bibracteolate.
Fruit a thin-walled capsule, irregularly ruptured by the developing seed.
Annual or (? short-lived) perennial herbs with entire, opposite leaves.
Seed compressed-reniform; endosperm copious.
Style slender, stigma capitate.