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Aerial stem-parasitic shrubs, sometimes with epicortical runners bearing secondary haustoria. Leaves opposite or displaced. Inflorescences a simple spike; bracts single under each flower. Flowers probably mostly functionally unisexual but usually with organs of the other gender present, either apparently normally developed or vestigial. Corolla 4-to 6-merous, small, choripetalous, regular or nearly so. Anthers basifixed, immobile. Style straight, simple. Fruit nearly globular. Fig. 33.
Fls us. perfect, in axillary cymose panicles. Tepals in 2 series; outer of 4-6 minute teeth; inner of 4-6 connivent or ± connate tepals, reflexing at apices. Stamens inserted on tepals, filaments distinct, anthers adnate. Ovary inferior, 1-celled; style filiform. Fr. baccate. Hemiparasitic shrubs with us. opp., coriac. lvs. Some 350 spp. mostly tropical and subtropical; the N.Z. sp. endemic.
