Myrothamnaceae Nied.

Balsamic-resinous shrubs, glabrous, dioecious. Branches opposite. Leaves cuneate-flabelliform, decussate, digitately nerved, plicate, articulate with the petiole; stipules paired, connate with the petiole, persistent. Inflorescences terminal erect racemes; bracts present; bracteoles present or absent. Flowers sessile, perianth absent; ? flowers: stamens either 4 with filaments almost free, or (3–)4–6(?–8) and filaments connate at base into a central column; anthers basifixed, dehiscing by longitudinal slits; connective prolonged into a beak; pollen in tetrads; ovary absent. ? flowers: staminodes absent; carpels (2)3 or 4, (2–)3–4-lobed and (2–)3–4-locular, ± free above and tapering to±recurved styles; stigmas subspathulate, oblong, facing inwards; ovules numerous, anatropous, axillary, 2-seriate. Fruit capsular, dehiscing by adaxial sutures of the carpels. Seeds numerous, small, pendulous; endosperm copious; embryo minute