Shrubs trees or herbs; monoecious or dioecious. Leaves alternate (rarely op-posite), simple, petiolate; stipules small; blade serrulate or entire. Inflorescences spicate, terminal or opposite the leaves (or rarely axillary), usually bisexual. Staminate flowers in clusters of 2-3 or solitary at distal nodes, subtending bracts biglandular; calyx 3-lobed; petals and disc absent; stamens 3 or 2, the filaments free or basally connate and anthers extrorse; pollen grains subglobose, tectate, 3-colporate. Pistillate flowers solitary or rarely in small groups at base of spike, subtending bracts biglandular; calyx 3-lobed; petals and disc absent; carpels 3 (rarely 2), the styles simple, connate at base or free, the ovules 1 per locule. Fruit capsular, smooth or armed; seed subglobose to cylindric, minutely carunculate, smooth.
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