Dioecious. Leaves distichous, with distinctive sheathing basal margins, linear or terete, glabrous, papillose, warty or hairy; apex entire or indented. Male and female inflorescences similar or dissimilar, spike-like, raceme-like or panicle-like; flowers separate or in dense or open clusters, small. Female perianth usually larger than male, hardened in fruit. Sepals and petals free or connate, similar or the sepals thinner. Outer stamens inserted on receptacle or rim of perianth tube; inner on perianth close to or distant from the outer, their filaments more or less different in length. Ovary 3-locular, ±sessile; ovule 1 per locule; style short. Capsule globular, cylindrical or trigonous. Seeds spherical to ellipsoidal, brown, orange or reddish.
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