Herbs, often perennial, the stems usually 4-angled. Leaves mostly lanceolate, the lateral nerves conspicuous; petioles adnate to the stipular sheath, the latter setiferous. Inflorescences capitate, surrounded by foliaceous bracts. Flowers with the 4 calycine lobes alternating with minute glands, the calyx persistent in fruit; corolla funnelform, glabrous within, the 4 lobes valvate; ovary 2-celled, the ovules 1 per locule. Fruits capsular, didymous, the mericarps or cocci indehis-cent, thin, the endocarp transparent, smooth, ecostate, the ventral face grooved, narrow, the flanks of endosperm folded against the deep hilar ridge, the seeds 1 per locule, the testa cells contorted.
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