Shrubs, mostly glabrous, some species appearing leafless; branches usually striate with decurrent ridges. Leaves scale-like or well developed, persistent or caducous. Flowers either solitary on fertile branches not markedly different from vegetative stems, or in lateral spikes, racemes or corymbs with rachis different from vegetative stem and subtended by a leaf-like bract. Flowers bisexual, each subtended by a bract. Tepals 5, rarely 4, thin or fleshy, the apex sometimes slightly incurved or thickened. Stamens inserted at base of tepals; filaments very short; locules obscurely or obviously 2-lobed; connective prominent. Disc usually prominently lobed. Ovary inferior, 1-locular, 2–5-chambered at base; style very short; stigma 5-lobed. Drupe fleshy or dry, crowned with persistent perianth.
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